Margaret Conklin, age 98, passed away Aug. 19, 2015, at Belle Fourche Healthcare Community with her family by her side.

Ethel Margaret Mahoney was born in Sundance on Aug. 8, 1917, to Ben and Nina (Morris) Mahoney. Her parents had a large ranch at Alva. Margaret loved her life on the ranch. She attended grade school at Alva and high school (where she excelled in band) and teacher's college in Spearfish, South Dakota. During this time, she roomed at her grandmother's (Minerva Black Morris) home in Spearfish. Margaret entered the teaching profession at the age of 19, teaching approximately 11 years.

Margaret met Oscar William Conklin, and they were married on Sept. 16, 1942, in Hulett. To this union, three sons were born: Wayne, Vaughn and Jeff.

At the time of their marriage, Oscar was in the Army serving during World War II. When he was stationed at Camp Hood, Texas, and Camp Carson, Colorado, Margaret went with him finding work in the nursing field. During the two years he was stationed overseas, she taught in a country school near Alva. Margaret would ride her horse six miles to the school to teach grades one through eight. She liked to reminisce about the wonderful students she taught. After military service, Oscar's work in the timber industry had them living in the mountainous areas of Wyoming. Hulett, Meteetse, Jackson, Wilson and Buffalo were a few of the communities in which they lived. During these times, Margaret worked in area hospitals and nursing homes. She enjoyed that profession and always wanted to be a RN.

Margaret and Oscar were long-time residents of Buffalo. They retired in Newcastle in 1981, later moving to Sturgis, South Dakota, when Oscar's health deteriorated.

After Oscar's death in 1996, Margaret moved to Spearfish. Her love in life was her family and her music. She would entertain family and friends playing the organ. Some of her other interests included cooking, embroidery and crossword puzzles. Margaret was an avid football fan. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Survivors include her sons, Wayne of Spearfish, South Dakota, Vaughn (Darcy) of Sinclair, and Jeff (Tina) of Newcastle; one sister, Dorothy (Max) Razo of Canyon Country, California; four grandchildren, Brian, Tara, Cory and Sean; and five great-grandchildren, Payge, Tom, Taylor, Maddie and Brodie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar; her parents; one sister, Harriett; and three brothers, Ben, Lyle and Bill.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, at the Alva Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in Margaret's name made to the charity of the donor's choice.