Dee School of Nursing

Group of Nursing Students

The Dee School of Nursing was founded in 1910 to provide training for nurses who would staff the new Dee Memorial Hospital.  The first class of eight nurses graduated from the school in 1913 and the school continued to operate until completed in 1917 and all nursing students were required to live in the home during their training.

This oral history project was created to capture the memories of the school's alumni before their stories disappear in the same way the Dee Hospital has disappeared.  The oral interviews focus on how the women became involved with the school, their experiences going through training, and how they used the training.

Hope Carol Kohler Mortensen recounts her time as a nursing student at the Dee School of Nursing, and her later experiences participating in a nursing strike and working on the bone marrow transplant unit. She also discusses her observations of nursing attitudes and responsibilities over the years. The interview took place on March 16, 2009.

Lois Heap Murray graduated from the Dee School of Nursing in 1947. She describes her experiences as a nursing student during World War II, including the shortage of supplies and roller skating at the Berthana. The interview took place on July 28, 2008.

Sue Evans Naisbitt shares her memories of nursing school and her nursing career, and discusses the presence of miracles and how nursing impacted her family and her life. The interview took place on October 15, 2008.

Dora Leskow Peterson discusses her work at the Logan LDS Hospital and graduating from the Dee School of Nursing in 1953. The interview took place on July 30, 2008.

Phyllis Naegle Purdy describes graduating from the Dee School of Nursing in 1941 and joining the Navy Nurse Corps soon after completing her training. The interview took place on August 27, 2008.

Alta Roskelley discusses her training at the Dee School of Nursing and her public health career. The interview took place on July 14, 2008.

Arlene Wilson Saunders shares her experiences as a student at the Dee School of Nursing and her views on the compassionate role of nurses. The interview took place on October 21, 2008.

Lois Berlin Shepherd discusses her memories of the Dee School of Nursing, including rotating to each floor while in the program and responsibilities of a typical shift. The interview took place on August 12, 2008.

Elsie Okamoto Shiramizu discusses being placed in a Japanese internment camp with her family after Pearl Harbor. She also talks of her time at the Dee School of Nursing and her volunteer work. The interview took place on July 22, 2008.

Betty Jo Slater shares her memories of attending the Dee School of Nursing during World War II, and graduating in 1945. The interview took place on July 31, 2008.