Beverly Sendelbach Sogn

Beverly Jean (Fossum) Sendelbach Sogn

Beverly Jean Fossum was born to Otto and Molester (Leraas) Fossum on March 16, 1927 at the family farm home south of Canton, in Lincoln County, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed at Lands Lutheran Church in rural Hudson, SD. As the oldest of four girls growing up on a farm, Bev constantly trailed her father outdoors, accompanied him in the truck, and eventually assumed responsibility driving the tractor and the car. Daily chores included carrying chopped firewood for the kitchen stove, filling the reservoir with water from a pump, and gathering eggs. Many happy hours were spent skiing, sledding or climbing the huge hill south of the farm.

Bev’s first eight years of schooling were spent at Pleasant Hill, District 70 Country School, which was located near the entrance to Newton Hills State Park. When weather allowed, these daily trips were made pedaling a bicycle with two of her sisters riding along. She then attended Augustana Academy in Canton, SD, graduating in 1945. She furthered her education for two years in Minneapolis, MN at Miss Wood’s Kindergarten Primary Training School (part of Macalester College) and then began her teaching career in Pipestone, MN. She taught First Grade for four years in Central School, then thirteen years of spring Kindergarten in Holland and Woodstock, MN.

On June 26, 1949 Bev was united in marriage to Laurence C. (Bud) Sendelbach at Lands Lutheran Church. Following their marriage, they continued to reside in Pipestone where she actively began helping Bud operate A & S Drug, which he co-founded with Ted Anderson on October 1, 1951. Bev was a very busy person with her teaching responsibilities, business obligations and new family requirements occurring at this time! However, she thoroughly enjoyed her careers as an educator, serving the public and being a parent to their two sons, Chuck and David. In retirement Bud and Bev wintered in Arizona, traveled and deeply enjoyed family holiday gatherings. Bud passed away from complications caused by pulmonary fibrosis on December 13, 1998. Bev continued to live and remain active in Pipestone until April 21, 2006 when she married Walt Sogn, a neighbor and good friend from her adolescent years. At that time she moved to Sioux Falls and enjoyed their 12 years of marriage until Walt passed away on July 24, 2018. Shortly thereafter Bev moved into Avera Prince of Peace Retirement Community where she happily resided until her death on March 1, 2023. Bev was a member of Peace United Methodist Church for 57 years while living in Pipestone, renewing her membership when she moved to Prince of Peace. She taught Sunday School, sang in the Church choir and held many offices as part of United Methodist Women. She was a member of the Pipestone Community Chorus and the American Legion Auxiliary, and energetically supported numerous community activities. Following her marriage to Walt, she attended Lands Lutheran Church where they had both been baptized and confirmed. Bev enjoyed watching her two sons play baseball both during and following high school and college. She found special delight in her grandchildren; playing with them, reading to them and “teaching” them.

Bev is lovingly remembered by her two sons, Chuck (Dorie) of Pipestone, MN and David of Sioux Falls, SD; 5 grandchildren: Wade (Nicole), Britt (Ian) Strum, Drew (Kinzie), Luke (Alissa), and Sean (Emily); 3 great-grandchildren: Adalyn, Audrey, and Chase Sendelbach; 3 sisters, Audrey Wedul, Marilyn Thompson, and Peggy (Craig) Germain; and several nieces and nephews. Also surviving her are Walt’s children Ruth, Marcia, Marcus, Sheila, Jon and Jean, along with their spouses and children.  Bev was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband Laurence C. (Bud) Sendelbach, her second husband Walter S. Sogn; two brothers-in-law, Rev. Otto Wedul and Dr. William Thompson; her daughter-in-law Julie Sendelbach; her nephew Drew Wedul; and a step grandson Nate.

Bev’s friendliness, positive attitude, smile and kind words for all were characteristics she exhibited daily. Because of how she lived her life through her faith she goes with the confidence that she will “Dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23)

Beverly's family is very grateful to the Prince of Peace Staff for the care they provided during her time there.