It is an honor to be called “Pastor.” There are times when I feel so blessed to be able to do what I get to do. Today was one of those times.
Don Sagehorn died today and I was able to spend many of his last four hours on earth with him. Don was a great guy: a faithful worker in the church, a loving husband and father, and a HUGE supporter of my ministry here. He was older than either of my parents, but he was someone I counted as a friend.
I met Don and his wife, Marilyn, when I first came to this parish in 2000. At that time both were retired Lutheran school teachers. They were also caring for their son, David, who was bedridden at that time. David was in his 40’s and had been struck down by a brain injury when he was only about 10 years old. He was able to do much despite his limitations, but his condition deteriorated over the years.
Toward the end of his life, David’s physical faculties failed. Don was the primary caregiver, which included changing David and maintaining his feeding tube. I visited David as a shut in until his death about 10 years ago. I really worried about how Don would go on, but his faith carried him through the grief.
Watching Don die today, I am reminded that we live in a broken world. Even at its best our world is flawed and filled with damaged people. The staff at Holy Cross Medical Center did their work with great skill and compassion, but they could not prevent the inevitable. Don’s body was broken and it could not be repaired.
The best part about today is that Don is with Jesus and Don is whole. I also find great comfort in knowing that Don is reunited with his son, David, and they are both eternally the best they can ever be.
I’m going to miss Don. I am grateful for his friendship and I thank God that he pointed countless children in his classroom to Jesus over the years. Today, more than ever, I am honored to be his Pastor.
I sent the following is the announcement out to give the details Don’s passing:
It has pleased Almighty God to call to Himself the soul of Donald Sagehorn. Don was admitted to the hospital last night (November 13th) for internal bleeding. I was called to the hospital this morning because he was in cardiac arrest. He was revived and then immediately “coded” again.
After he was revived a second time, I was able to pray with Don, Marilyn, and their son, Dan. I pronounced absolution for Don’s sins, and we said Psalm 23 together. At noon time Don “coded” a third time and, with Marilyn holding the hand of her husband of 60 years, I was able to give Don the Benediction right after the medical staff stopped CPR.
Don and Marilyn were called to serve as principal and teachers at Grace Lutheran School in Key West, Florida in 1954. They also served at St. Mark’s Lutheran in Hollywood, Florida and Don retired from Peace (now Shepherd of the Coast) in Fort Lauderdale. He was a past Ben Eggers award recipient and served on various District and Synodical committees during his career. All told, Don was a Lutheran School Principal for 24 years and a Church organist/choir director for 24 years, serving on occasion in both positions simultaneously.
I am, personally, deeply saddened by Don’s passing and I will miss him. Please pray for Don’s dear wife, Marilyn, and their two children. I find joy in knowing that Don is with Jesus and he has been reunited with his son, David, who pre-deceased him.
Blessings,
Dan Czaplewski,
Pastor