Emma Sexton

Emma Sexton was born on February 26, 1923 to Friedrich and Emma (Winter) Mueller on the family farm 6 miles southwest of Menno, South Dakota. She was the 7th of 9 children. She was baptized in 1923 and confirmed in 1937 at Grace Lutheran Church in Menno. In 1941, she graduated from Menno High School and went on to attend Southern Normal College in Springfield, SD earning her teacher’s certificate. For 1 year, Emma taught at a rural one room school house.
On November 10, 1947, Emma was united in marriage to Melvin Lewis Sexton at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell, SD. Together they made their home in Scotland, SD in 1950. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Scotland where she taught Sunday school, joined the quilting group, and was a member of the ladies’ circle.
During WWII, there was a shortage of nurses. Emma attended Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing in Yankton, ultimately earning her RN degree. In the early years of her career, she cared for iron lung patients and veterans at the hospital in St. Cloud, MN. She continued as a nurse working in hospitals and nursing homes until her retirement at age 70.
Emma passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at Great River Care Center in McGregor, Iowa having attained the age of 96 years.
She is survived and remembered by her children: Craig (Mary Jo) Sexton of Monona, IA, Beverly Sexton of Harrisburg, SD, and Sheila (Dan) Green of Rice Lake, WI; grandchildren: Heidi (Brian) Sayler, Melissa Hisek, Nicole (Mark) Hodgen, Heather Eldridge, Joseph Sexton, Samuel Carpitcher, Joe Green, an Lana (Jeff) St. John; and great-grandchildren: Garrett, Madeline, Grace, Levi, Elijiah, Sofia, Georgia, Aden, Olivia, Mason, Spencer, Jayce, Aubriane, Lucius, and Samuel.
She was preceded in death by her husband, son Rodney Paul, and her siblings.
This obituary was written in loving memory by the family of Emma Sexton.

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