Margaret Simons, 87, Marcus, died Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at her home on the ranch.

Visitation will be noon until 5 p.m. on Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Rosary services will be 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 4, 2010 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Fr. Marcin Garbacz officiating. Burial will be 3:00 p.m. at the Pedro Cemetery near the Sioux Spiritual Center south of Plainview.

Memorials have been established to the Sioux Spiritual Center and Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.

Margaret was born on the family ranch in Bear Butte Valley on December 23, 1922, to Edward and Agnes (Thein) May. She grew up in the Alkali area and graduated from Sturgis High School. She received her teaching certificate from Spearfish Normal. Her family moved to the Plainview area where Margaret taught in a small country school. De and Don King still refer to her as "Miss May".

She met Mark "Seets" Simons while teaching and the couple were married at Sturgis on June 1, 1942.

She quit teaching in order to raise her family. Some of her children were schooled at home. She returned to teaching when the children were all in school. She taught until the birth of her youngest son, Buddy. She retired in 1968 and returned to the ranch where she helped her husband and continued to raise her family.

Margaret enjoyed her yard and flower gardens. She liked feeding her birds and caring for her pets. She most especially loved her family. She had recently attended kindergarten graduation for her great grandchildren. She was a member of a local quilting circle and a member of the Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church where she was also a lay minister.

Survivors include her sons, Monte and Ann Simons, Bennett, CO, Jack Simons, Enning, SD, Clark and Marilyn Simons, Aurora, CO, Buddy and Lori Simons, Howes, SD; daughters, Valarie and Larry Brown, Faith, SD, Mary Jacobsen, Castle Rock, SD, Marlene and Gary Wendt, Castle Rock; one sister, Edna Taylor, Rapid City, SD; also 26 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1996, one sister Clara, one brother Joe, one grandson Danny, one granddaughter April, son in law, Harlan and daughter in law Cheryl.