Marjorie Jean Parker departed her earthly home in Custer, SD on Thursday 2 Jul 2009; just eight days shy of her 89th birthday. She was born to Willard B. Ward and Gertrude M. Lahr Ward on 10 Jul 1920 in Ames, Iowa. She grew up in West Lafayette, Indiana, graduating from Purdue University with B.S. in Life Science Studies in 1942.

Marjorie married Theodore Browning Parker a Purdue graduate and 2nd Lt. in the Army Air Corp in 1942 and together they raised five children who survive them; Marilyn Parker Agney (Chapel Hill, NC), Meredith Jean Myers (Cupertino, CA), James Richard Parker (Greenfield, IN), Kristi Lee Poland (Saegertown, PA) and Thomas Ward Parker (Jamestown, PA). Additionally, she leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grand children, and cherished friends ever by her side to the end to carry on her legacy of adventure and love of caring and sharing.

During her years as a full-time mother, Civil Air Patrol volunteer, Girl Scout leader, Red Cross Instructor, and neighborhood bridge player, Marge harbored a long-held dream of one day reliving her happy summer spent with family in Bozeman, MT at the age of seven.

In 1972, "relieved" of her motherly responsibilities, she spent many of the next several summers exploring many western states, looking for her new home place that would recapture her dream of Bozeman. Her journal entry indicates she finally found that piece of "God's country" on 40 acres just outside Hot Springs, SD. In the summer of 1977, she moved into her newly built home with its north-facing view, her beloved pick up truck (one of several to come) in the garage and not a neighbor in sight. For the next thirty years, she "home-steaded" here, reveling in the quiet and solitude, making her daily weather station readings, feeding and watering the local live stock of elk, turkey, and deer and "taking out" the occasional tree-destroying porcupine. She watched the clouds, built kites, planted wildflowers and captured many moments that fill the numerous photo albums she leaves with us. She became known for her abiding involvement with all the flora and fauna that chanced within her range of vision.

In spite of her stated desire to "be alone", Marge always welcomed drop-ins with the ever-ready cup of coffee, canister of cookies and conversation.

What Marge found when she moved to South Dakota and began her adventure of re-inventing herself, was a "community of caring" she affectionately called "her kind of people", who accepted her as the person she was always meant to be. For almost 30 years, Marge was a volunteer in the National Forest Service (NFS) office in Custer; serving as a range tech, map-maker, fire crew helper, and front desk/ office support person. In 1995, she was officially recognized for contributing over 30,000 volunteer hours to the NFS. We have Marge, the perennial gardener, to thank many summers for the flowers in front of the building on Mt. Rushmore Highway. "Marg's Park", an area dedicated in her honor, can be found behind the NFS building.

Marjorie loved to study maps and western history books. These fueled her desire for regular solo road trips around the western States to enhance her personal experience of historical places and landmarks. These trips, along with her wealth of knowledge as a naturalist, served her well in her work with the National Forest Service, which she thoroughly treasured.

Marge's health, but not her independent spirit, began failing a couple of years ago and she moved into Custer, first to Landover Estates and then to the Senior Care Center where she continued to entertain friends and maintain her position as "first to the dining room" on a daily basis. She never ceased to be amazed and grateful for all the love and caring shown to her during this time.

To celebrate Marjorie's life, her family warmly invites friends, colleagues and acquaintances to attend her Memorial Service at 10 am Friday, 10 July 2009 at McColleys Chapels of the Hills in Custer. Per Marjorie's request, her ashes will be spread by her family across the land she loved.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.