Pauline (Brunz) Hartog

A funeral service for Pauline Marie Hartog was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 7, 2025, at Union Congregational Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Tim Voigt officiating. West River Nurses Honor Guard conducted a special ceremony to honor Pauline’s work and life. Music was provided by Kelly Frank, soloist, and Jeanie Kotrba and DeNelda Fortuna, accompanists. Heather, Mia, and Kiki Haines were in charge of registration, and Jeanie Kotrba, Kass Witt, and Tamara Lynass were flower attendants. Todd Hieb, Wally Eklund, Bart Birkland, Sonny Plugge, Jim Brunz, and Hank Wonnenberg were casket bearers. All of Pauline’s coffee friends were honorary casket bearers.

Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Interment was at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD.

Pauline (Brunz) Hartog was born December 26, 1933 in rural Gregory, SD, the daughter of Adolph and Helen (Koch) Brunz. She was baptized and confirmed at the Carlock Congregational Church in Carlock, SD.

Pauline graduated as a registered nurse from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Sioux City, IA, in August of 1955.

On October 27, 1956, Pauline was united in marriage to Rod Hartog in Gregory. To this union was born a daughter, Paula. In October 2024, Pauline and Rod celebrated 67 years of marriage.

Pauline dedicated her life to her nursing career. Her God-given mission to become a nurse was realized at age 5. As a young girl growing up on a farm, she was there to take care of minor injuries. Immediately following her nursing school graduation, Pauline started as an obstetrics nurse at Lutheran Hospital. In May of 1956, she moved to Denver, CO, to work at Children’s Hospital as a staff nurse. In October of 1956, she was promoted to assistant clinical instructor. She worked at a physician clinic in 1961 until moving back to Burke, at which time she joined the staff at Community Memorial Hospital in Burke. She held many positions at the hospital, and retired after 45 years. Throughout her career she was active in the nursing association, was awarded the South Dakota Nursing Association District 7 Nurse of the Year in 1983, and mentored and inspired many a new nurse. Pauline was always caring for people and stressing wellness to her friends and family.

Through the years Pauline was active in the community and her church. She found great joy in caring for people, biking, dancing, knitting, sewing, and various crafts.

Pauline passed away on January 30, 2025, in the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Helen Brunz, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Klaus and Sena Hartog, brother Art Brunz, sisters-in-law Carol Hartog and Gladys Siefkes, and brothersin- law Leroy Hieb, Donald Hartog, Richard Hartog, and Henry Siefkes.

Pauline is survived by her husband, Rod, of Burke, SD, daughter, Paula (Brad) Carlson of Naples, FL, granddaughter Sarah Carlson (Dave Jackson) of Cleveland, OH, sister Ruby Hieb of Granite Falls, MN, sisters- in-law Myrna Brunz of Burke, SD, Roberta Hartog of Moorhead, MN, Margaret Hartog of Worthington, MN, Doreen Hartog of Windom, MN, brothers-in-law Robert Hartog of Windom, MN, John Hartog of West Plains, MO, and many nephews and nieces.

The family requests memorials be given, in lieu of flowers, to Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, SD, and Union Congregational Church, Gregory, SD.