Obituary of Sarah Parsons

Sarah (Sally) Parsons, 86, Richfield, Minnesota, died February 7, 2022 in St. Louis Park. Sally was born January 27, 1936 in Pierre, South Dakota, to Vilas (Duffy) and Grace (Barry) Parsons.  She was a graduate of Riggs High School, Pierre, and earned a degree in Nursing from the University of MN, then enlisting in the US Navy where she served at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. 

After her discharge, Sally embarked on a long and illustrious nursing career working in Seattle at the University of Washington, Minneapolis’ Suburban Public Health, Regions Hospital, and more than 30 years in nursing management at the Minneapolis Veteran’s Hospital.

Sally’s mark was indelible across her long career and yet Sally’s life was so much more than nursing.  She devoted an equal amount of energy to the family, friends and communities of which she was a part.  Sally grew up on the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation and was proud of her Indian heritage, the daughter of a trailblazing mother who was a member of the Tribal Council and a father, who through diligence and hard work, developed the family’s ranch that flourishes today near the West Bend of the Missouri.  Sally often returned to the Pocket to visit family and bring friends to enjoy her homeland. Through her work at the VA, she found opportunities to honor her heritage, supported the endeavors of other natives, and was a charter member of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

Within her Minnesota community, Sally served on the Bloomington Board of Health and citizen committees within her city of Richfield, avidly engaged in Toastmasters for over 30 years, led many initiatives within her church of St. Nicholas, and never missed a beat in bringing her friends together for fun.  She organized nursing reunions from Seattle to Santa Fe, took others on adventures to the Outback, hosted bridge and poker parties, and sought out moments to share her unrivaled culinary talents from lefse making, toffee, truffles, and deer tenderloin.

Beyond her friends and family, Sally’s four-legged friends – Homer, Tornado and Gusty - were a central part of Sally’s life and brought her great joy.

Sally was forever grateful for the gift of life, a kidney, given to her by good friend Marilyn Meyer and extending the quality of her life for almost 30 years. 

Sally is survived by her niece, Holly Mentele (Canova, SD) nephews Lance (Tucson, AZ) and Wesley (Harrold, SD), a “sister” through thick and thin Carol Dieckhaus (Edina, MN), and countless friends.

Sally will be interred at Fort Snelling and a celebration of life is being planned for the Spring. In memoriam, the family encourages donations to the many causes important to Sally, especially the University of Minnesota School of Nursing and the Polycystic Kidney Foundation.

Services will be held on April 28th at the Cremation Society of Minnesota 7110 France Ave. Visitation from 9:00 to 11:00am. Service 11:00 to Noon and reception following. Sally will be buried at Ft. Snelling at 2:00pm sharp.

In memory of Sally, the family requests that contributions be made to the Nursing Diversity Scholarship or the I Want to be a Nurse Scholarship, University of Minnesota Foundation, PO Box 860266, Minneapolis, MN 55486-0266  or at give.umn.edu