Marget Christina McNenny of Sturgis was called to God's garden on April 24, 2009 from the Sturgis Regional Hospital Hospice Center surrounded by her loving children and many of her devoted grandchildren. She was 95. Marget suffered a severe stroke in November of 2006 and had struggled through a remarkable recovery since that time.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 26, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis on Monday, April 27, at 1:30 pm with Pastor Michael Fox officiating. A luncheon in the church basement will immediately follow the services, and interment will take place shortly after the luncheon at Pine Lawn Cemetery in Rapid City

Marget was born on July 31, 1913, in Rapid City to Christopher and Christina Ness and grew up east of Sturgis in the Alkali area. She graduated from Sturgis High School , attended Spearfish Normal School for one year and then was a teacher for one year at the same Alkali grade school which she attended, teaching grades 1 through 8.

She married James F. McNenny, September 17, 1933, and began her married life in Sturgis raising their three children, Dean, Darrell and Linda. Along with raising her own children, she helped raise three of her grandchildren.

Marget's many talents provided her with a varied and full life during 95 years. She lived in the family home for 73 years, and her passion was caring for the large vegetable and flower gardens that surrounded their home. Marget and Jim sold produce to local stores and Sturgis residents who knew where to go to get the best veggies in town. She entered many of her flowers, vegetables, canned and baked goods in both the Pennington and Meade county fairs where she was notorious for winning many blue ribbons. Marget's typical day started at daylight and often extended to well after midnight. All the children knew that a midnight call might interrupt a canning, baking or jelly making activity.

Marget was a 50 year plus charter member of both the Idle Hour Club and the South Sturgis Extension Club. She was active in the Grace Lutheran Church Ladies Aid Group where she was President for four years. Marget was also a charter member of the Sturgis Hospital Auxiliary, acting as their first Treasurer for five years. She helped operate the hospital gift shop for many years, and made many of the items sold in the shop. She was an active member of the Sturgis Senior Center. She also was known as the "ham lady" during the annual motorcycle rally, where she spent many years preparing the ham for the bikers that frequented the Lutheran Church breakfast fund raisers.

Marget was a strong Lutheran and insisted that Sundays be devoted to church, family, and friends. It was a long-standing tradition to spend most Sundays either visiting or hosting family and friends. Marget was an exceptional cook who lured the grandkids to her house with the smell of baked goods, home canned pickles, and a variety of homemade jellies.

Marget and Jim not only worked hard, but they also took time to enjoy each other and the pleasures of life. In their early years, their children, and then their grandchildren, fondly remember being carted off to the Saturday night dances at Alkali hall. Square dancing was a life-long passion for Jim and Marget which they enjoyed well into their eighties. They also enjoyed traveling together with friends on a number of charter bus trips to various locations around the United States. Marget's travel highlights included a trip to Norway and Sweden to visit her cousins, and a trip to the sunny beaches of Hawaii.

Marget was preceded in death by James, her husband of almost 60 years; and brothers Harold Ness, James Ness, and Paul Ness. She is survived by brother Donald Ness; and sisters Evelyn Malde, Betty Rickansrud, and Constance Lamp. She is also survived by son Dean McNenny and wife Sandi of Sturgis along with grandchildren James of Deadwood, Kenneth (Pam) of Sturgis, Crystal Sigler of Oakton, VA and Jason (Jamie) of Belle Fourche; son Darrell McNenny and wife Edith of Missoula, MT, along with grandchildren Kathleen McNenny (Boyd Gaines) of New York, NY, Cheryl Nurse (Edward) of Missoula, MT, Michael (Mary) of New York, NY; Patrick (Karen) of Redwood City, CA; and Karen Marsolek (Michael) of Missoula, MT; daughter Linda Chiaramonte and husband George of Crossville, TN, along with grandchild Stephanie Young (Chuck) of Houston, TX. She is also survived by numerous great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.

It would be an understatement to say that Marget was a strong-willed person that not only expected much from herself, but set an example for all around her. She was hard-working, determined, and honest to a fault. Her children and her grandchildren admired her spirit and self-sufficient nature that was fostered by being the eldest of 8 children who grew up on a ranch during the depression. It was this very nature that endeared her to all those that came in contact with her. Once you met her, you would never forget her. Most of all, you quickly came to respect her, and could not help but to love her.

A memorial has been established to the Grace Lutheran Church and the Hospice of the Northern Hills.