Marian Clinch of Rapid City died on January 26th, 2011 at Hospice House of the Black Hills.

Marian Carrie (Keffeler) Clinch was born April 13, 1929 in Sturgis South Dakota to John D and Mary Elizabeth (Grubl) Keffeler. She attended the one-room school at Alkali through the eighth grade, then helped her parents on the farm.

On December 31, 1950 Marian married James (Jim) Henry Clinch, who was, at that time, building bridges for Meade County.

From 1951 to 1958 Marian and Jim had two boys, Michael and Patrick who accompanied them while working road construction. In 1959 Jim and Marian purchased a home in Rapid City. Marian continued to raise her family which soon grown to four kids with the birth of Christine (Chris) and Tracy Jo.

Marian worked as a childcare provider at Meadowood Bowling Alley for many years.

Marian and Jim enjoyed square dancing and bowling and were members of the Legion of the Moose and active in the Independent Order of Foresters.

Marion loved spending time with her family and will be dearly missed by them.

Marian is survived by sons, Michael (Francine) Clinch of Presho, SD; and Dr Patrick (Cynthia) Clinch, and daughters Chris (Don) Lampert and Tracy Clinch, all of Rapid City; 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; brothers Murrin and Ralph (Betty) Keffeler, sisters Mable(Donnie) McPherson, Rosemarie Van Sickle, Irene Long, sisters in law Mae(Bud) Keffeler, Darlene (Maurice) Keffeler, Judy (Orvin) Clinch and numerous nieces and nephews.

Marian was preceded in death by her husband James, her parents Mary Elizabeth (Grubl) and John D Keffeler, brothers Charles (Bud), Arthur and Maurice Keffeler; sisters Laura (George) May, Bernice Jensen/Hanks, Mae (Dan) Dingman, and a stillborn baby sister and brother-in-law Orvin Clinch.

The model Marian and Jim set forth in work ethic, honesty, love and compassion have helped this family navigate the highways of life in the past; are helping now and will continue to guide us and future generations through the trials of life.

Visitation will be from 11:00am to 7:00pm with a 7:00pm wake service Monday, Jan 31 at Black Hills Funeral Home on Junction Ave in Sturgis. The family will be present from 5-7:00pm to greet friends and relatives.

Mass of Christian burial will begin at 1 pm Tuesday February 1, 2011 at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1049 Howard St, Sturgis, with Rev. Arnold Kari as celebrant. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

A time of fellowship and lunch will follow in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Marian's name to Hospice of the Hills, 224 Elk St, Rapid City SD 57701.