Funeral Service for Marie Ragna Augusta Richards, 90, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Monday, December 12, 2011 at 10:30 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD with Rev. William Schruba officiating. Organist will be Mona Greseth and soloist Jenna Richards. Pallbearers are Marie's grandsons Robin Richards, James Richards, Glenn Richards, Evan Finnesand, Richard Finnesand, and Charles Richards. Honorary Pallbearers are Marie's granddaughters Ronda Steiner, Stacy Johnson, Pam Owen, Dustie Richards, Janene Swanson, Jennifer Stephes, Jill Denkinger, Jennifer Haessig, Meranda Shindelbower, Stephanie Richards, and Jenna Richards. Interment will be in the Peever Cemetery, Peever, SD. There will be visitation on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at the Cahill Funeral Chapel from 1:00 to 7:00 PM with Family present from 5:00PM to 7:00 PM. There will be visitation one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Monday.
Marie was born on March 3, 1921 at home in Roberts County, SD to August and Ragna (Rustand) Meyer. She was confirmed at the Bethal Lutheran Church and graduated from 8th grade from Drywood lake #4 Country school. She then helped at home and other families in the area. On July 3, 1941 she married Bliss Richards. They made their home on the Richards family farm where she helped take care of Bliss's parents and other family members throughout the years. Bliss passed away in 1964. Marie then moved to Sisseton with her four youngest children. Marie supported her family by cooking for the Sisseton School District, the Coffee Cup and Coteau des Prairies Hospital. She loved to cook, especially making large meals for get togethers with her family. The last few years she enjoyed her meals at Billy's Café where they made her feel like family. She enjoyed sewing her children's clothing and making quilts for her family members, having many squares cut ready to make quilts for future generations. She also enjoyed crocheting, doing crossword puzzles, quilting with the church ladies, reading and spending time with her grandchildren. She passed away December 8, 2011 at the Tekakwitha Nursing Center with her family at her side.
Marie is survived by 5 children Gordon and (Karen) Richards, of Sisseton, SD; Ernest and (Scotty) Richards of Peever, SD; Ronald and (Judy) Richards, Delores and (Arnie) Finnesand, and Steven and (Kristi) Richards all of Sisseton, SD; one brother Arnold and (Betty) Meyer of Rogers, MN; four sisters Lillian Carlson of Sisseton, SD; Ruby and (Lawrence) Jacobson of Fort Dodge, IA; Norma and (Donald) Howard of Appleton, WI; Beatrice and (Bennie) Herding of Sioux Falls, SD; one sister-in law Dorothy Meyer of Wilmot, SD; seventeen grandchildren and thirty one great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Merlyn, two brothers Clarence and Elmer; one sister in-law Loa Meyer, and one brother in-law Clifford Carlson.