Lena D. Schild, 90, Sturgis, died Sunday, May 4, 2014 at the Sturgis Regional Health Care Center.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. with the family present on Friday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rapid City with Pastors David Schwan and Paul Winckler officiating. Burial will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Lena was born on the family homestead near Watford City, ND in McKenzie County on August 12, 1923, to Walter and Mary (Dogopoly) Dassenko. She grew up with 12 siblings on the family farm and attended the county school several miles away. She always gave her best to her studies, a trait and attribute she exhibited her entire life. During the 1930's the family suffered during the drought and moved to eastern North Dakota where they continued to farm

At an early age she was indoctrinated in the Christian faith and developed a servant attitude. The family worshipped at the SDA Grassy Butte Church.

Lena had a keen interest in the medical field desiring to be a nurse. After graduating from Gardner, ND High School with honors she earned a business degree to facilitate her being able to pursue her dream of nursing.

Lena was then employed by the war department in Washington, DC. While there she received a furlough and completed a nursing degree from Columbia Union College. She then worked toward her CRNA credentials at Long Island Hospital and Johns Hopkins University. Her first job was in Fargo, ND.

She then practiced her profession at Porter Hospital in Denver, and from there to Ft. Collins where she served in the now historical renowned Beebe Clinic for nearly 17 years.

It was there that she met Harlan Schild and they were married September 7, 1968. Their first home was in New Mexico where Harlan was doing graduate work.

In 1971, they became Sturgis, SD residents. Lena served in the Community Hospital and surrounding area. She accepted the CRNA position at the Ft. Meade VA in 1973 and continued there until retirement in 1994.

Lena was a member of NANA. Many people were the benefactors of her loving skills as she was an avid gardener and enjoyed canning and freezing. She also enjoyed baking, quilting, sewing, and classical music. She was described as being meticulous. Following her retirement she shared her compassion and professionalism by volunteering with Hospice and other programs such as disaster relief.

December 29, 1993 was proclaimed Lena D. Schild Day by executive proclamation by then governor Walter Dale Miller.

Survivors include her husband Harlan Schild, Sturgis; one brother, Dr. Ivan Dassenko, Salem OR; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers and four sisters.

A memorial has been established to Hospice of the Northern Hills.

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