Annabel May was born June 13, 1937, to George and Laura (Keffler) May. She grew up on the May Ranch on Alkali, rural Sturgis and told many stories of the adventures she would go on with her father, gatherings hosted by her mother, and fun had with numerous extended family and friends.
She attended Alkali Country School, and graduated from Sturgis High School. On June 19, 1955, Annabel married Raymond Aga. Annabel worked at the dime store while Ray was in the service.
Annabel and Ray made their home in Sturgis and years later moved back to the May Ranch to retire, if ranch folks do such a thing. The couple raised three boys. Her favorite anecdote to share was: If you have one boy, you have a good boy. If you have two boys, you have half a boy. If you have three boys, you have no boys at all. This message was always said with a slight eye roll and a smile. The boys definitely kept them on their toes. Music was a common love that kept them all busy.
The Aga Family Band traveled around playing for various events. You could find them at social events, dances, and clubs playing for anyone who listened. Annabel hauled her accordion around while Ray and the boys moved guitars and sound equipment. The boys grew up, married, and had children of their own and Grandma Annabel shared her love of music and nature with all her grand-kids.
Many times, she would huddle around with the grand-kids singing songs, reading books, or watching old movies. She loved her chickens and hatched out chicks, timing their arrival with visits from her grandchildren. She would take the grand-kids on walks to find wild clover, bluebells, or whatever wild flower or weed they could find to create a bouquet. Irises were her favorite flower and Annabel had a beautiful garden full of many varieties at "the house in town." Irises didn't take kindly to the conditions at the ranch, so she switched to moss roses, petunias, sweet peas, and morning glories to keep things bright. Another favorite pastime was fishing in the stock dams often using hot dogs for bait. She would holler into the house, "come on Grandpa!" and off went whatever collection of kids, adults, and fishing gear they could come up with. She also loved visiting with the coffee ladies and socializing with the Buttons and Bows club, gardening, canning anything and everything, sewing, crafting (especially tatting), and decorating her home for every season and every holiday.
Annabel (May) Aga of Sturgis, SD, passed away Friday, May 24, 2019, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital Hospice House, after a brief battle with cancer.
Grateful for sharing her life and love are her husband, Raymond Aga; sons, Lars (Rebecca), Lynn (Karmen), and LeRoy (Karla); nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many close relatives and friends.
Annabel was predeceased by her parents, George and Laura May; her in-laws, Lawrence and Lora Aga; and one infant sibling called to Heaven before birth.
**Grandma Annabel didn't like dark gloomy colors, so in her honor, please wear something bright and cheery. She liked bright blue and purple best.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.
Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Pastor Kris Garlick officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

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