School District Closed Thursday to Allow Students and Staff to Attend Funeral Service
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Lisa Bergeleen
The Wessington Springs School District and greater community mourn the loss of longtime Springs resident and teacher Lisa Bergeleen, after hearing news that she passed away suddenly at Avera McKennan Hospital on Wednesday, April 24.
The school district will be closed Thursday to allow students, teachers and staff to attend her funeral services.
Visitation will be from 5 - 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, at Wessington Springs Elementary School gymnasium with burial to follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery. A meal will be provided at the Wessington Springs Elementary School in the new Rec Center following the services.
In an email sent to parents last Wednesday, Superintendent Dr. Michael Ormsmith shared news of Bergeleen's passing and that supports were in place for students.
"We learned this morning that one of our teachers, Lisa Bergeleen, passed away while receiving care at the hospital in Sioux Falls. Our deepest condolences to the Bergeleen family for their loss. Lisa was a part of our school community for many years and she will be missed," he wrote.
He shared that the school provided additional counselors and clergy to talk with students at both the elementary and high schools last week. Ormsmith added that continued supports will be available for students struggling with the news.
"Staff will contact an administrator or the school counselor for any student who appears to need someone to talk to. Dealing with information like this may bring back memories of other events, so it is important for students to have access to help even if it is not directly related to the current situation," Ormsmith wrote. "If you feel your child is having difficulties dealing with this loss and may benefit from additional support, please feel free to contact the school counselor, or the school principal, so we can be aware of your child's needs. We are also supported by local mental health professionals and can provide you with referrals as needed."
To honor Bergeleen and her way of living, a “Love BIG! Live Like Lisa” shirt has been designed.
“Lisa had a love for a good t-shirt, especially if it was in support of a team, a person or a cause,” explains the order form. Proceeds from the sale of the shirts will go to the family to use towards a memorial of their choice in Lisa’s memory. Shirts can be ordered through an online store at: https://lisa-bergeleen-love-big.spiritsale.com/products
Her obituary can be found HERE