Margie Oehlerking, 84, of Pierre died Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013 at Avera Maryhouse Nursing Care Center.
Funeral services were held Friday, Aug. 16 at First United Methodist Church with burial in Scotty Philip Cemetery.  Visitation was Thursday, Aug. 15 at First United Methodist Church with a prayer service.
Arrangements were placed in care of Isburg Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.isburgfuneralchapels.com
Margie Deane Callihan was born March 20, 1929 in a farm house at Fedora to Ben and Bernice (Van Pelt) Callihan.  She grew up in Woonsocket, graduating from Woonsocket High School in 1947. Margie then attended beauty school in Sioux Falls, with a degree in cosmetology in March 1948.  After dating Milt Oehlerking for two years, they married on March 28, 1948, which was Easter Sunday.
Margie soon assumed the role of homemaker and rancher’s wife, first settling near Mitchell, then moving to Van Metre in the summer of 1949.  She was appointed the Van Metre Postmistress for eight years, working out of the old store building, which was also their home.
Milt and Margie moved south of Highmore to the Dewey Dam Ranch with their children Jim, Judy, Karen, Teresa and Wendy in March of 1960. Anita was born in 1967.  Margie worked hard with Milt in the fields, with the cattle, gardening, canning and raising their children.
Milt and Margie built a home and moved east of Pierre in December 1979. Margie worked at Kmart for 20 years.
She spent many hours at her sewing machine making clothes for her daughters and granddaughters, doll clothes and special flannel blankets for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Margi collected dolls her whole life.
Margie won her battle with Alzheimer’s on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013 surrounded by her family at Maryhouse in Pierre.
Margie was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church serving in many capacities over the years.  Over their 65 years of marriage Milt and Margie enjoyed dancing, playing cards, bowling and going to antique auctions.  In later years she enjoyed attending as many grandchildren’s activities as she was able.  Margie was always willing to help with home improvement projects from painting and wallpapering to knocking out a wall.  She definitely taught her children how to “Do-It-Yourself.”
She is survived by her husband, Milt of Ft. Pierre; her children, Jim (Mona) Oehlerking of Pierre, Karen (Larry) Johnson of Eldridge, Iowa, Teresa (Dave) Kusser of Pierre, Wendy (Ben) Smith of Pierre and Anita (Kyle) Wyly of Ft. Pierre; son-in-law, Jack Bickel of Firesteel; sister, Carol (Ken) Fairbanks of Sturgis; two half-sisters, Julene Krska and Janice (Arnold) Krska; half-brother, Jerry Baker; 19 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Judy Bickel; parents, Ben and Bernice Callihan; and brother, David.
Memorials may be directed to Countryside Hospice Memory Diagnostic Center and the Alzheimer’s Association.