Mary K. (McDonald) Homelvig, 87, affectionately known as Maizie, passed away at her home in Hot Springs the morning of August 5, 2010. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Maizie was born October 16, 1922 in Hot Springs, South Dakota, to Joseph L. and Grace M. (Reeves) McDonald. She attended school in Hot Springs, graduating from Hot Springs High School in 1940 magna cum laude. She was employed at the Hot Springs Star as a reporter until 1942 when she went to work in Igloo for the Corps of Engineers and later the Bureau of Reclamation. In later years she was employed as a Ward Secretary at the VA; was office clerk and secretary of the Angostura Irrigation Project for 12 years; and worked eight years as Administrative Assistant for the West River Mental Health Center.

She was married in May 1950 to Clifford Homelvig. They lived on a ranch near Pierre, SD, for a year, returning to Hot Springs in 1951. In 1956 they moved to the Oral community, dry-land farming until 1967 when they purchased two units on the Angostura Irrigation Project. They sold the farm in 1980 when they built a new home near Oral, living there until 1994 when they moved into Hot Springs.

Maizie was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church, Hot Springs Senior Citizens, VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, the Royal Neighbors of America, the Traveler's Club (getting her first passport at age 77), and contributed to the oral and written histories of Hot Springs and Fall River County. She served seven years on the Hot Springs School Board, one four-year term as Fall River County Commissioner, and in various offices of the Democratic Party.

She was a forty five year member of the Angostura Homesteaders Extension Club, which disbanded in 1999, and faithfully checked reservoir levels in the paper until her dying day. She served five years on the Synod Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and also served on the Future of South Dakota task force. While county commissioner, she served on the 7th Judicial Circuit Crime Task Force. She has received honors recognizing her service for the Democratic Party including the Lifetime Achievement Award, 1999, and the Goldie Wells Memorial Award, 2001. She also proudly earned the Business Professional Women's Club Woman of Achievement, 1979, and South Dakota Eminent Homemaker in 1984.

Beyond being an outstanding citizen and church member, Maizie was a caring, giving wife, mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by sons, Michael Homelvig (Hot Springs) and his wife Leilani; Patrick Homelvig (Littleton) and life partner Karen Pate; daughter, Susan Jorgensen (Denver) and husband Steve, as well as eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren spanning from Canada to Oregon and Nebraska. Additional close family members also include step brother Art Marty and wife Arlene, Rapid City, and brother-in-law Miles Homelvig, wife Kay and their children.

Maizie joins her husband Cliff, sister Beth, mother Grace, father Joe, stepfather George Marty, and daughter Kathy Jass, and many other family members, friends, and pets in their rest in peace.

Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, August 8, 2010, p.m., at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m., Monday, August 9, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Hot Springs with Pastor Dwayne Hunzeker officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials in honor of Maizie be sent to St. John's Lutheran Church.

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