“When Craig’s mom went to the nursing home in Watertown, she really liked the fact that she could get her nails done. And I thought, well I can do that,” said Joan Severtson.
Severtson was between clients this past Friday when we caught up with her at Edgewood Vista in Flandreau. She’s been volunteering as a manicurist for residents at the retirement home since late last summer.
Twice a month, the former insurance agent, now a retiree and ranch wife, spends the afternoon pampering those that enjoy getting their nails done. For some, it’s a treat that they never ever allowed themselves early on in life.
“When I was a girl, I never had my nails polished,” said Bev Dykstra, as she admired a new coat of bright pink Severtson had just put on. “I was on the farm, I married a farmer and we had a dairy farm, lived down in Rowena, and then up south of Ward,” she added.

Girls back then just didn’t treat themselves like a lot of women do now, the two agreed.
Dykstra is loving it now.
“Last time, I had purple on,” she said, of the colors she’s been trying on for fun.
It is obvious from the smiles shared, however, that these sessions are about much more than a manicure. Severtson is a friend, a connection to the community that many of those coming in for a manicure often miss, and another chance at laughter during the day — Severtson, if you know her at all, then you know she offers up endless smiles, positivity, connection and laughter.
Statistically, each of these things contribute to an overall better quality of life, especially as we age. If there aren’t many who come to her in the activity room while she’s there, Severtson will take her nail kit to residents rooms and ask if she might give them some pampering. Most of the women, she said, take her up on it.
“It’s the least I can do,” Severtson said. “It makes them feel better. And I really enjoy it, too.”