Margaret D. Cummins, 86, of Woonsocket, passed away Monday, Feb. 4, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 8, at the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Burial was at the St. Wilfrid Catholic Cemetery in Woonsocket.

Margaret Dora (Atencio) Cummins was born in Ortiz, Colo., on Aug. 17, 1932, to Rafael and Celina (Ortiz) Atencio. When she was in fifth grade, the family moved to Antonito, Colo., where she spent the rest of her school age years. Margaret spent summers with her family in the Los Brazos mountains in a cabin while her dad, a working cowboy, would be on duty all summer. Margaret would collect arrowheads and bones to sell in town to purchase school supplies. Margaret’s mom, Celina, would allow each of the kids to choose one outfit for school from the Sears and Roebuck catalog, and she would make it simply by looking at the photo.

When Margaret graduated from high school in 1950, she ventured off to Chamberlain. While she was there, Margaret met Gene Cummins. They were married on Aug. 9, 1954. In 1963, they moved to Colorado Springs, Colo.

In 1974, Gene and Margaret moved to Woonsocket. Margaret started working at Prairie View Care Center in 1975. Throughout her 29 years of working and volunteering at PVCC, she served as a nurse’s aid, a bath lady, activities helper, restorative aid, and as a feeder. She received Employee of the Year in 1999 and retired in 2004. She loved working with the residents of PVCC and made lifelong friends with fellow staff members. During her time there, she was given various awards, including the Millie E. Olson Award in 2000, which recognizes employees who go the extra mile in long-term care facilities.

Besides being a mom, wife and dedicated worker, Margaret was active in Catholic Daughters of America, TOPS, camping with her husband, bowling, and making enchiladas for many in the town of Woonsocket. It wasn’t uncommon for Margaret to be found dancing on a table after a Broncos win or sitting at an activity for her kids or grandkids.

Margaret is survived by her children, Donald Cummins (friend Vicki) of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kathy (John) Fraser of Mitchell, Billy Cummins of Woonsocket, Cindy Cummins of Sioux Falls, and Rodney (Erin) Cummins of Davis Junction, Ill.; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and her roommate and great friend from the nursing home, Angie Nelson.