By Margaret Bolte,
The St. James Lutheran Quilting Group is an active and dynamic group of women.
The group meets twice a month in the fellowship hall of St. James Lutheran Church in Belle Fourche, South Dakota.
According to Betty Artus of St. James, the quilting group consists of dedicated ladies from St. James and other churches. In 2025, 167 quilts were completed, with 92 donated to charities and 49 sold to fund the group.
Ft Meade, VA, Black Hills recently thanked St. James for donating 34 quilts to veterans in the Hospice department of Fort Meade Veterans Hospital. At the VA, staff give quilts to patients individually as part of a special tribute.
According to Leo Nelson, a Veteran and a St. James Lutheran member who provides the quilts to VA staff, the quilt is used as a special recognition to comfort the patient in their final time in hospice. Leo shared that, “It is a private, solemn process, that upon the passing of a Veteran, the patient is covered with the quilt and is given a silent honorary salute in the hallway, as staff and patients quietly say a final goodbye to the soldier. The quilt is then given to the family.”
In addition to donating quilts to Ft Meade, the group also supports a variety of local services.
The Belle Fourche Police Department received 12 quilts, and 32 quilts were donated to the Canyon Hills charity.
“I am proud of our group. We are using our energy and time in doing God’s work. It is very rewarding,” Betty said.
If you would like to participate in the quilting group, contact St. James Lutheran Church, Belle Fourche, South Dakota.
Read the full issue of the Belle Fourche Beacon by clicking here.
