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May 28, 2026
Mother Nature may have shifted the plans, but staff and community members still gathered last Friday to honor the 14 CHS infants and toddlers who lost their lives during the cholera and influenza outbreaks in the late 1800s.
CPO Jon Mammenga opened the Memorial Service by welcoming guests and thanking them for making it despite the dreary weather.
With an image of the headstone displayed in the background, former Director of Development Rick Weber shared historical context. He explained that a group of Boy Scouts helping clean up Mount Pleasant Cemetery in 1985 discovered the CHS headstone during their work and notified CHS leadership. This led to CHS hosting its first memorial service in 1986 in the children’s honor.
Rick closed by reflecting that even though we did not personally know these 14 infants, CHS continues to honor and care for their memory all these years later.
Loving School teacher Kelsey Sample and her husband Jacob followed with a moving musical reflection of The Blessing.
Grant Specialist Angie Smith read scripture, and King of Glory Church Pastor Rich Merkouris shared Jesus’ words, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Pastor Rich added, “We have hope because the heart of God is to care for the smallest among us. Thank you, Children’s Home Society, for being a place where the little children can come.”
Even with a last-minute location change, the Memorial Service offered a peaceful moment for reflection as staff and community members held space for lives that were brief but deeply meaningful.
Journalists from Dakota News Now and the Sioux Falls Argus Leader attended the service. See DNN’s coverage here.
April 28, 2026
Between 1894 and 1903, 14 infants and toddlers in our care passed away during the cholera and influenza outbreaks. In 1986, Mount Pleasant Cemetery underwent a beautification project that led to the rediscovery of the Children’s Home Society headstone for these children. CHS leadership and community members came together to honor the children, and CHS held its first annual Memorial Service on May 30, 1986, with 150 people in attendance. CHS continued to hold memorial services at the cemetery until 2018.
We believe it remains our responsibility to ensure these 14 children are not forgotten. Please join us on Friday, May 22, at 11 a.m. CT at Mount Pleasant Cemetery for a ceremony at the headstone.
CHS will host a light lunch following the ceremony at the main Sioux Falls campus. Click here to RSVP for lunch or call 605.965.3125.
