Cynthia "Cindy" Milek, 59, passed away Friday, November 3, 2023, in the Hospice Suite, Monument Health Sturgis, SD.

Cynthia Ann Graham was born in Ortonville, MN, on January 1, 1964, to Richard and Alice (Folk) Graham. Her first Communion was in 1972, at St. Lawrence Church in Milbank, SD. Cindy graduated from Central High School in Rapid City, SD, in 1982. She met and married Joseph Mercy on September 3, 1983, at St. Therese Catholic Church in Rapid City, SD, they later divorced in 1988.

Cindy later met and married Dennis Milek on January 18, 1997, they had two daughters, Sarah, and Krista, and a stepdaughter, Emily, and a granddaughter, Lilliana. When Cindy met Dennis, she was working full time at Black Hills Gold and making gold jewelry and was taking night class to become a nurse like her mother. After their marriage she continued to work there until Sarah came along. At this point she quit work and school and devoted herself to being a good mother and wife. She loved seeing the family grow with Krista, and loved her stepdaughter, Emily as if she was her own, the family was complete.

Cindy loved living in the country and helping with all aspects of ranching from calving to haying. She happily helped with everything including all the paperwork and taxes. She loved riding her dirt bike on the ranch. She was a member of the Spring Creek Ladies Club and greatly enjoyed their company. After retiring she found a love for Indian Motorcycles, she loved her extremely loud Indian Scout but later she fell for an Indian Super Chief Ultra in Burnt Blue. She was only able to ride twice in the fall and once in the spring before her health failed.

During the daytime when the children were in high school, she worked at Grace Lutheran Church as a janitor and also started the puppet ministry to bring children to God. She was a member for over 20 years. She attended regularly and taught Sunday school for many children and sponsored several overseas thru the unbound program for years. But as she was raised a catholic, she realized that is where her heart lay and to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church she went and realized she was home. She tried to start a puppet ministry at the Catholic church, but time ran out.

She loved being a grandmother to Lilly but was saddened that she would not live long enough to see her next grandchild. She was a beautiful, classy lady and a loving generous mother, friend, and companion she will be greatly missed.

Cindy is survived by her mother, Alice Knapp; her husband, Dennis Milek; her daughters: Sarah Milek, and Krista (Landan) Brink; and her stepdaughter, Emily Milek; granddaughter, Lilliana.

Cindy is preceded in death by her father, Richard Graham.

Visitation is Wednesday, November 8, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, November 9, 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis. Interment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis.

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