Pauline Brehe

View Pauline's Recorded Funeral Service

Pauline J. Brehe, 98, of Agar, passed away Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital, Pierre.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 28, 2022, at the United Methodist Church, Agar, with Pastor Jeff Adel presiding. Burial will follow in the Onida Cemetery. Prayer service will be 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 27, 2022, at the church.

Pauline Joyce Hanson was born February 10, 1923 to Carl and Maude (Peterson) Hanson in Hornick, IA. At the age of 1, the family moved to Onida, SD.

At an early age, Pauline learned to play the piano and music became an important part of her life. When she was in the 7^th grade, the family moved to Agar.

After graduating high school in 1944, Pauline attended business college in Mitchell, SD until obtaining a job as a bookkeeper for the State of South Dakota Auditor’s Office in Pierre. She was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and in 1945 joined the WAC medical corps as a surgical technician.  She served hospitals in California and Washington, caring for the wounded soldiers returning from World War II. Upon her discharge in 1946, Pauline returned to Pierre to work again, first as secretary to the State High School Supervisors and then back to her old job as bookkeeper in the auditor’s office.

On March 5, 1948, Pauline married Calvin Brehe in the Pierre Methodist Church. They moved to a farm west of Agar where she spent the remainder of her life. Four children were born to this union: Harvey, Gregory, Wendy, and Anita.

Pauline enjoyed bowling, gardening, singing in the Sully County Chorus, belonging to the Farmington Friendship Club, and traveling. Pauline was a member of the Agar Methodist Church where she played piano up until shortly before the time of her death, taught Sunday School, Bible School and was a member of the U.M.W. 

Pauline was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for her membership in the Civil Air Patrol in in 2015 from Governor Dennis Daugaard.

Pauline leaves her family with some wonderful words of wisdom. “Get a good education, be a responsible and dependable person, love the Lord with all your heart, accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior, and he will guide your way.” 

Her life will be cherished by her children: Harvey of Agar, Anita Brehe of Pierre, and Wendy Brehe of Hot Springs; one grandson, Kyle Brehe, of Batton Rouge, LA; cousin, Donna (George) Rose of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Calvin in March of 1993; son, Greg; brother, Ralph; sister, Myrna Gibson; three sisters-in-law: Arlene Pruess, Grace Smith, and Myrtle Pearson; brothers-in-law: Charles Brehe, Verne Pearson, Chet Gibson, and Fred Smith; and her mother and father-in-law: Stella and Gus Brehe.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Pauline’s arrangements.