Mary Madell Schuster was born in Sturgis May 18, 1925, in her grandmother Keffler's "midwifery" house.  Her parents were Joseph and Florence (Keffler) Schuster.  She attended St. Martin's Academy from 1 ^st through 12 ^th grade.  She graduated from National College of Business in Rapid City.

She married George Piekkola in February of 1950 in Sturgis.  They ranched at the Piekkola homestead until George's death in 1973.  Madell and George adopted two children:  Janice, age 4, and Kenneth, age 2, in 1954.  Later they adopted a baby boy of two weeks of age, William Thomas.  Madell loved being a wife and mother and grandmother.  Her family was her greatest joy.

She loved dancing, sewing, cooking, canning, traveling, playing cards, and visiting.  She was an amazing woman, always having projects to work on.  Madell was a very hands-on mother with her children.  She was very active in extension club, altar society, 4-H, and sports, and a beloved leader in Boy Scouts.  One of her greatest joys was when William attained his Eagle Scout award.  She was a long-time den mother and officer in that organization.

Madell loved and excelled at sewing.  She made many prom/pageant dresses and "Make it with Wool" projects winning many purple ribbons.  She made her daughter's complete wedding attire.  She was very honored to make her two granddaughter's complete wedding outfits for a double wedding.  She made hats as well as men's suits.  Madell also made many little "coats" for baby animals on the farm.

She suffered the last of her years battling health issues, mainly her legs causing her to be in a wheelchair.  She remained confident, kind, helpful, and happy.

After George's death, she spent many years alone, but the Lord blessed her with her second husband, William "Bill" McDonagh.  They traveled in their 5 ^th wheel all over the U.S.  Bill was her knight in shining armor.  Madell wanted to return to Sturgis.  She moved into Sturgis Regional Senior Care for where she lived for 1½ years.  She made very special friends there, Betty, Rene, and Sara, to name a few.

Madell, 92, Sturgis, died Sunday, January 28, 2018, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

She is survived by her sister, Hazel Schuster Malmbeck of Hawaii; daughter, Janice Anderson; son-in-law, Brad Sedlacek; sons, Kenneth Piekkola (Anita Ulrich) and William Piekkola (Kymberlie); grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mason and Spencer, Rachel and Rodney Schaub, Alex and Scott Craig, Julianna and Taylor, Lisa Anderson Pelton (Bruce), Kaine, Hayden, and Christian, Michael and Sharon Anderson, Raedon, Laeton, Talon, and Rhianna, Daniel and Kirby Anderson, Taite, Thad, Tyson, and Triton, Corey Piekkola, Jennifer Piekkola, Lea and Neeko, Max Piekkola, Marissa, Chaz and Deena Piekkola, Lathan, Johnny, Chaz, Alessa, and Annie Piekkola.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents; brother, LaVerne; husbands, George Piekkola and William McDonagh; grandson, Mark Piekkola; and son-in-law, Andy Anderson.

Madell's children and grandchildren will forever be grateful for her loving, kind, and moral example she always set!  "'Til we meet again, Mom."

Visitation will be Friday, February 2, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Vigil beginning at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Father Timothy Castor officiating.  Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 5, 2018, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established to the St. Francis of Assisi Altar Society.

Click on link to view service folder