NERISSA ZEPHIER

Funeral Mass for Nerissa Zephier, 58, of Wagner was held Friday, October 24 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Marty followed by a celebration of life.

Maria “Nerissa” Estribor Zephier was born on August 28, 1967 in Igbaras Iloilo, Philippines and died Sunday, October 19 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Born to Andres and Alma (Esmeralda) Estribor, she was the oldest daughter of six.

When Nerissa was 13, she moved from Igbaras to Washington state with her family. Most of her adolescence and early adulthood was spent in the Kitsap County area. She graduated from Olympic High School, class of 1988. Later, she went on to receive an Associates Degree in Business at Olympic Community College. At 33, she moved to South Dakota where she raised two children and became such a special part of the Wagner community for 25 years.

Nerissa was a dedicated, hard working woman. She worked many jobs starting at her auntie Felly’s filipino store as a teen, then managing in retail as a young adult. When she moved to Wagner she worked as a paraprofessional at the Wagner Community School and then started her nursing aid career at the Good Samaritan Center where she provided care for 17 years. Here she was awarded CNA of the year two years in a row. She continued as a nursing aide at the Wagner Community Memorial Hospital until her last days.

Her hobbies included gardening, playing games like solitaire and mahjong, and watching vlogs and drama/ comedy series and movies. She also never missed a nap. Nenen enjoyed sharing loud laughs with family and friends, going on camping trips, summers by the water soaking up the sun, and taking care of grandkids. Nerissa was a devoted mother, Mima, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was stubborn, strong willed and beautiful in every way. A woman who will be dearly missed by all who loved and adored her for her strong convictions and tenacious attitude.

She was preceded in death by her father, Andres Estribor, and mother, Alma Estribor. Thankful for having shared her life with are her children Dakota and Chantal; her siblings: Nelson, Jun, Judith, Claire and Louie; her grandchildren, Lily and Presley; and many other family and friends from all around.