Miriam Louise Hallock, 78, Sturgis, died unexpectedly Thursday, January 31, 2013, at Sturgis Regional Hospital. This tragic loss is immeasurable for her family, her friends, and her community.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at 11:00am at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Denzel Nonhof officiating. Visitation will be held from noon to 8:00pm on Monday, February 4, 2013 at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Miriam was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on January 15, 1935, to Newton and Louise (Howe) Olson, but she was a South Dakota girl through and through. She graduated from Rapid City Central in 1952, and after a brief stint trying out the "big city" life in Minneapolis, she returned to Phillip, South Dakota in the summer of 1954 where she met and married Morris Gene Hallock.

The love affair that was Morris and Miriam's marriage spanned almost 60 years and in the end embodied all that Miriam was- a tireless, supportive, and loving wife who journeyed through a life of service, and publishing with her husband always maintaining a strong personal identity of her own.

Miriam found incredible joy in music and bridge. She believed unequivocally in her God and encouraged all those around her to find solace and peace through attendance, worship, and involvement at church. Miriam also found ways to help her community whether it was to deliver a meal to a soul that found themselves shut-in, raise money for disabled children, or visit a friend that needed comfort and love; she was a relentless and ever present force in the lives of those around her.

Miriam was also the mother of three girls that she loved to the very depths of her being. Unconditional is the only way to describe the relationships she had with her children and by extension, those loved by her children. She opened her heart and home to all that touched her family's life with graciousness, food, and a place to lay their heads, knowing they were safe because Miriam was there- steady, strong, and sure.

In 1983, Miriam became Nana with the birth of her first grandchild, and though it is hard to believe that a person so giving could become even more so, Miriam did. To the very last day of Miriam's life, she was working to make the lives of those around her easier.

She is survived by her husband, Morris G.Hallock, Sturgis; daughters, Debra (Walter) Shine, San Rafael, CA, Lori (Chuck) Kaiser, Fallon, NV, Karen Hallock, Rapid City, SD, and Chris Brady, Modesto, CA; and her grandchildren, Devin Bearden, San Rafael, CA, Tessa (Luke) Mickelson, Rapid City, Chase Kaiser, Fallon, NV, and Matthew Hallock Kaiser, Fallon, NV.

Mariam is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Bob Olson.

A memorial has been established to the First Presbyterian Church.

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