RAPID CITY | Peggy R. Fedell, a long-time resident of the Rapid City area, died Monday, the 16th of May, 2016, at Westhills Healthcare Center surrounded by family after a short illness.

Peggy was born in 1926 in Warren, AR, to James Switzer Belin and Robby Virginia (Laster) Belin. When Peggy was nine, she and her family moved to Smackover, AR. Peggy attended Arkansas A&M College for two years, and received her BSE in Physical Education from the University of Central Arkansas in 1948. Peggy taught physical education, English, health, and coached girls' basketball in AR.

Peggy met Richard "Dick" Fedell in 1950, when he was in Smackover, participating in an engineering program for Phillips Petroleum. They married in 1951 and began their lives in Casper, WY. Peggy and Dick later lived in Baxter Springs, KS, Fort Collins, CO, and Madison, WI. The family moved to Rapid City in 1962, where Dick served on the faculty of SDSM&T until his retirement.

Peggy was an active member of the Faculty Wives Club at SDSM&T, and co-chaired the committee that sponsored the Engineers Duplicate Bridge Club, which raised funds for student scholarships, for 25 years. Peggy loved watching sports, was an avid bridge player throughout her life, and had many friends throughout the Rapid City area.

Peggy was a wise and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was an early advocate for women's rights and human rights. She believed in living authentically, having courage, never gossiping, never complaining, and being kind to everyone. She will be deeply missed.

Peggy is survived by her daughter, Susan Fedell; her son, David Fedell and his wife Ellen; her son-in-law, Mike Little; her grandchildren, Christopher McFarland, Brianna McFarland, and Kayla Hall; step-grandchildren, Nicholas and Cara McDearmont; and great-grandchildren, James and Aubrey Hall, Killian Carpenter, and his new little sister on the way. Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; her daughter, Sherry Little; her son-in-law, Dan McFarland; her parents, Switzer and Robby Belin; and her sisters, Pat Preddy and Sally Morrison.

Peggy will be interred this summer at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis during a small family ceremony.