Lydia Elvira Flanagan, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs on Monday, November 24, 2014, at the age of 94.

Lydia was born in Verdon, SD, on March 18, 1920, where her parents, August and Anna (Milbradt) Erdmann farmed for many years. Lydia served in the Army Nurse Corp during World War II, and was a nurse for many decades at the Veterans Hospital in Hot Springs. She has lived at the State Veterans Home for the past fourteen years and was cared for by a dedicated staff of workers where she was a well-liked resident.

She is survived by her children, Carolyn Williams of Charlotte, NC; Larry Abraham of Hot Springs; Cathy (Ron) Thomas of Phoenix, AZ; and Steven (Mary Stein) Abraham of Rapid City, SD; step-sons, Randy and Dennis Flanagan and their families; sisters, Elizabeth Newell of Sacramento, CA; Trudy DeBow of Staples, MN; 8 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; as well as many, many nieces and nephews..

Lydia was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Alvern Abraham; her second loving husband, Dale Flanagan; brothers, Walter; Gottlieb; Gerhardt Erdmann; sisters, Irene; Marie; Esther; Dorothy; and Ruth.

isitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 1, 2014, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home with Chaplin Art Weitschat officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Hot Springs.

A memorial has been established in Lydia's name.