Pamela Connor

On Sunday August 17, 2025, Pamela Faye Connor (Murschel), 77, of Waubay, SD formerly of Aberdeen, left this earth while resting peacefully at Sun Dial Manor in Bristol, SD. Pam’s passing came just 7 short days after the death of her husband, Donald, whom she’d married over 50 years earlier.

Memorial services will be 11am Saturday, August 23, 2025, at American Lutheran Church in Webster.

Memorial visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Inurnment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Aberdeen at a later date.

Pam was born to Lawrence and Loa (Olson) Murschel on March 3, 1948, in Webster, SD. She was their second child and first-born daughter; Loa Ka was so happy to be a big sister. After graduating from Webster High School in 1966, Pam followed in her big sister “Ka’s” footsteps and enrolled at Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. She kept busy with student activities including the Debate Squad and Drama Crew, in addition to making the Dean’s list each semester by earning grades of 3.5 and above. Upon graduating from NSU in 1969, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with major in English and minor in speech, Pam moved near Mobridge, SD. She taught English at the Standing Rock High School in Fort Yates, ND. It did not take long for Pam to realize that with her meek and mild demeanor, teaching high school students was not her true calling.

Pam headed out to California until 1973, when she returned to Aberdeen and enrolled at Presentation College in the Nursing Program. She was a 1975 graduate and passed her Registered Nurse Series 775 exam on July 1, 1975.

Pam met Donald Connor in early 1974 in Aberdeen, SD while a student at Presentation College. The couple fell in love quickly and they married on December 29th of that same year. Together they made their home in Aberdeen, where son, Shad was born in September 1976. Pam stayed busy as a new mother and worked at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen as the Director of Nursing. The childcare center at Bethesda was such a blessing as Pam was able to head over and see Shad during her breaks. Here is where lifelong friendships blossomed with fellow nurses and staff.

After Pam’s father passed away in December 1995, this led her towards a new career with Lutheran Brotherhood. Shad followed in his mom’s footsteps and after graduating college in 2000, he joined her business practice until an opportunity that Pam wouldn’t let Shad turn down, presented itself and he moved to Nevada taking with him Pam’s only grandson, Grant and a second grandson on the way. Pam reassured Shad that he could always return to Aberdeen, however if he passed on the opportunity, he would never know.

In 2007, Pam and Don moved to Blue Dog Lake in Waubay, SD where they lived in the house Don built for their retirement. Pam drove from Waubay to Aberdeen for a year, then decided her mother Loa was not getting any younger and Pam wished to spend every opportunity with her. This led Pam back to her nursing days as 2008 brought her to Strand Kjorsvig Rest Home as a Registered Nurse. This change allowed her to work where her mother Loa was residing and lived to the age of 101 ½.

December 2019, brought retirement for Pam where she could spend her days watching the gorgeous sunrise, beautiful sunset, and all nature to her heart’s content. Retirement also brought more time to read, new recipes to cook, snuggles with their two cats, and of course listening to as much music as she could fit into a day, because everyone needs Elvis, The Beatles, Three Dog Night, and all her favorites in their life.

Pam was known for her quiet, gentle, and soft demeanor. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew her, but most of all by her son Shad (Heidi) Connor of Horace, ND; two grandsons: Grant Connor of Horace, ND and Gavin Connor of Bozeman, MT; and nephew Troy (Deb) Keeley of Aberdeen, SD. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Loa Ka (Gerald) Keeley, and husband, Donald, of over 50 years.

May Pam’s memory bring comfort to all who knew her and a reminder to embrace whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, admirable – excellent or praiseworthy. – Philippians 4:8