Vicky Lee (Thompson) Waterland was born March 3, 1953, at Faith, SD, to Irvin and Marian (Howie) Thompson. She attended grade school in Timber Lake and high school in Faith graduating in 1971. She went on to BHSU and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. She then taught in various grades and positions over the course of 38 years, before she retired due to health reasons.

Her childhood was spent riding horse and attending rodeos. She and her pony, Pedro, won many events including the pony race at Timber Lake Saddle Club Field Days. In high school, she would go on to win the Dupree Snow Queen Contest and Runner-up in the local Jr. Miss.

Her teaching career began at United School, where she taught for 3 years. She then was employed by the Faith School District where she taught for 29 years. She retired from the state system in 2008, but her love of teaching led her to teach at Takini for 5 more years. Her passion for teaching did not stop in the classroom. Every moment was a teachable moment to her, and her children, grandkids, nieces, and nephews are better people because of it. Her methods were not always the norm, but effective. She loved the "bad boy" of the class and could always gain their respect. Her students were always on her mind and she spent many hours at home correcting papers, making assignments, and projects. She would always go on a shopping trip to the teacher store with a specific student in mind.

Vicky was blessed with a daughter, Lacey Lee, in 1982. She married Harold Waterland July 3, 1995, at Marcus. They enjoyed traveling, checking wheat, and attending various sporting events.

She was a Faith cheerleading/drill team advisor for many years, taught Gifted and Talented, ran the Stock Show exhibit building in Faith, timed for 4-h rodeos, wrote Marcus news for the Faith independent for 12 years after her mother's passing, coached Odyssey of the Minds, helped with Faith High School Rodeo, was a leader of Hazy Hills 4-H club, Faith Alumni Assoc. past officer, Faith library board member, Marcus Hall board secretary and Volunteer for many years, and she ran the Faith Stock Show Horse show for many years. She loved teaching, South Dakota History, collecting rocks and Fire King Glassware. She was passionate about learning her family history and passing it on to the next generation.

Vicky Lee Waterland, 64, Faith, died Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at her residence.

She is survived by her husband, Harold Waterland of Howes; her daughter, Lacey (Robert) Wondercheck of Howes; three step-daughters, Jill (Ted) Schilling and Kristin (Chet) Kilmer, both of Spearfish, and Kim (George) Langendorfer of New Underwood; one sister, Adele Enright, Timber Lake; one brother, Alton "Bub" (D'anne) Thompson, Marcus; sister-in-law, Corinna Thompson of Faith; six grandsons and three granddaughters, Quirt and Rio Wondercheck of Howes, Daniel, Mathew, Timothy, and Emma Schilling and Cadence Kilmer of Spearfish, Shane Langendorfer of Rapid City, and Ele of New Underwood; four nephews and one niece, Richard and Mitch Enright, Timber Lake, Max Thompson, Sturgis, and Troy and Amanda Thompson of Marcus.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Earl Thompson; and her brother-in-law, Denver Enright.

Visitation will be Monday, June 26, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at the Faith Community Center in Faith with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. Burial will follow at the White Owl Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established to the Marcus Hall.

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