Pauline Flones

Pauline Flones, age 96, formerly of Ortley, SD, passed away on January 1, 2025, at Wilmot Care Center in Wilmot.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in South Shore. Pastor Ken Nelson will officiate and burial will be in the Bergen Cemetery, rural South Shore. Visitation will be held at the church, one hour prior to the services.

The service will be livestreamed, recorded, and viewable below this obituary.

Pauline Eleanor (Oswskey) Flones was born on July 2, 1928, in Dedham, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Bernard and Mildred (Paulson) Oswskey. Her father worked for the railroad and the family lived in many different places. They settled in the Ortley area where Pauline attended school.

She was united in marriage on November 20, 1946, with Ingvald Lee. They were blessed with six children: Pat, Gerald, Judy, Mike, Tim, and Terry. Pauline later married Bernard Flones on December 24, 1959. Adding to the family were Jean, Robin, and Kelly.

Pauline was a hardworking mother and wife. She helped on the family farm as she raised her children. She was a talented seamstress. She made drapes for Davey’s and Zimmel’s in Watertown. She took in projects of mending and sewing and was always willing to help. She also worked in custodial care at St. William’s Care Center/St. Bernard’s Hospital in Milbank.

Pauline was a member of Bergan Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday School and was active with the ladies’ circle. Pauline’s family knew that “Sunday dinner” would be prepared every Sunday and shared with whomever was able to join. Pauline had a loving and caring heart. She provided care for elderly friends, was always available to give rides, or give a helping hand. She adored her family, especially her grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memory are her seven children: Pat (Linda) Lee of Sioux Falls, SD; Judy (Arlon) Pies of Big Stone City, SD; Mike Lee of South Shore, SD; Terry (Steph) Lee of Summit, SD; Jean Harms of Watertown, SD; Robin Flones of Ortley, SD; and Kelly Flones (Christy Randall) of Ortley, SD; grandchildren: Danielle Harms, John Harms, Janelle Harms, Brendan Nelson, Morgan (Colin) Hartman, Jeff (Stephanie) Lee, Kim Richey, Kevin Pies, Karlie (Gerald) Maag, Melanie (Brett) Wagner, and Jeremy Lee; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Jim (Joanne) Oswskey of Elk River, MN; brother-in-law, Harold “Sonny” (Audrey) Flones of Seattle, WA; sisters-in-law: Joanne Flones of Illinois; and Lila Oswskey of Annandale, MN; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and her faithful companion, Ozzy. 

Pauline was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; infant son, Gerald; son, Tim; great-grandson, A.J.; sisters: Irene (Mitchell) Thompson, Josie (John) Lee, Lorraine (Ed) Janowicz; Nina (Cliff) Johnson, Gladys (Kenny) Jacobson; sisters-in-law: Betty (Arden) Richard and Ruby (Ralph) Redlin; brothers: Palmer (infant), Ben and Theodore; brothers -in-law: Roy (Arvis) Flones, Pete (Babe) Flones, Tom (Kathryn) Lee, Mancel (Marvelle) Lee, Arnold Flones, Harvey Flones, and Carl (Lois) Lee; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Carl and Hannah Flones; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Tom and Borghill Lee.

The family suggests memorials be given to the Bergen Cemetery.