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Funeral services will take place on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Kadoka Auditorium
Kadoka, South Dakota

Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota



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In memory of

Marlene "Micki" Word

of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 77

Micki (Marlene) Word was born March 19, 1940 the daughter of Anton and Rose Wald. Micki grew up on the family farm near Zeeland, North Dakota with her four younger brothers where they learned the value of hard work, milking cows and picking rocks. Micki graduated from Zeeland High School and attended the University of North Dakota. She later moved to Minneapolis to live the glamorous life in the big city with her girlfriends.

It was in Minneapolis while working at a bank that she met Bob Word. They were married on November 8, 1969 in Deadwood, SD. To this marriage 3 children were born, Jim, Jodi, and Jennifer. Bob and Micki made their home on the Word ranch south of Kadoka. In the early days on the ranch Micki was busy raising kids, running the household, gardening, canning and sewing.

In 1979, Micki took a job at the Kadoka school where she worked for the next 33 years. Micki cared for countless children over her years at the school, loving them all as her own. Micki always had a smile, a hug or an encouraging word for every kid. She made life long friendships with the adults and kids alike while working at the school.

Micki was well known for her work ethic. She also worked several other long-term jobs in Kadoka; waiting tables at the Club 27, cleaning rooms at the H & H and visiting with tourists at the Prairie Homestead. She enjoyed the dear friends she made and meeting new people in each of these endeavors.

Micki enjoyed crocheting, knitting, other crafts, and reading, but her favorite hobby was watching sporting events…ANY sporting event. Other than Christmas her favorite time of year was March Madness. She was sure to get in a pool or two. No doubt she is in heaven enjoying her Yankees, Fighting Irish, and Packers once again.

Micki’s greatest gift was caring for others. Grateful for having shared her life are her children Jim and Amy Word of Fallon, Nevada, Jodi and Norm Cox of Casper, Wyoming, Jennifer and Kirk Dennis of Piedmont, South Dakota; nine grandchildren Tyler, Skyler, Emerson and Finley Word, Ethan, Avery and Isaiah Cox, Kale and Sawyer Dennis; her four brothers Rod Wald, Robert (Rena) Wald, Leon (Carol) Wald, Ken (Bobbi) Wald; sisters-in-law Norma Word and Phyllis Word and numerous nieces and nephews.

Micki was preceded in death by her husband Bob Word on July 18, 2015; her parents; a sister-in-law Marcella Wald; brothers-in-law Don and Zack Word; and nephews Don Clay and Grady Word.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 26, at the City Auditorium in Kadoka.

Interment will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 26 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

MEMORIAL SERVICES
Thursday, October 26, 2017 - 10:00 a.m.
Kadoka Auditorium
Kadoka, South Dakota

CLERGY
Father Gary Oreshoski
Pastor Gary McCubbin

MUSIC
Ruth McCubbin - Pianist
Congregational Hymns
“Amazing Grace”
“How Great Thou Art”

USHERS
Tucker Handcock - Rusty Olney

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Family and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Thursday, October 26, 2017 - 2:30 p.m.
Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota
Dr. Bill Meirose - Officiating

  • Jim, Jodi, Jennifer & families, So sorry for your loss, your mom was such a great person to all those school kids over the years. From long before my little sister was in elementary to the times when our own kids were that age & needed that special encouragement from Micki's office! We also remember what a great worker she was at the Club back in the day. Thank you for sharing her with all of us! ~ Brad & Jody Stout Kadoka, SD (10/28/2017)
  • Kadoka will say goodbye to one of the most selfless souls I have ever met. She was literally the Mother Theresa of Kadoka Elementary for many years. There was no student that ever beckoned her door that she did not make whole if they were broken. She went about her religion by example. She never required praise or public gratification. She gave whatever task at hand her all. I considered it an honor to call her a friend. She leaves her children and grandchildren a legacy next to none. May God bless you all in the days ahead. ~ Judy (Olney) Goldhammer Wall (10/26/2017)
  • Micki was such a beautiful woman! I knew that when I was little and got a hug and a smile from her every day. As I grew up and would visit with her in my adult years that kindness and love was always there. She knew and loved my kids and treated them just the same!
    This world is a far better place because of her kindness, hard work and dedication to not only the kids that walked thru her door but to the whole community.
    What a wonderful legacy she has left for her family and for all of us....to love unconditionally.
    God bless all of her family and may memories of her bright smile bring fond memories.
    Love and prayers
    David, Michelle (VanderMay), Kelcey, Katie and Lukas Butler     ~ Michelle Butler Philip SD (10/26/2017)
  • Micki was part of all our children's lives at Kadoka School, that big smile was always there no matter what the situation. She gave so generously of her time, attention and support. God bless and rest easy Micki, in His Peace. ~ Kenny & Lyndy Ireland Philip, SD (10/24/2017)
  • I have so many memories of Mickie of our years working together at school. She was a good friend and a friend to all. My sincere condolences to all of you. May she rest in peace. ~ Eileen Stolley Kadoka (10/23/2017)
  • Micki was an amazing lady. She will be greatly missed by many. Thoughts and Prayers to all. ~ Kathleen Carlson Kadoka (10/23/2017)
  • So so sorry about the loss of your mother! She was a fantastic gal to work with at the High School. Prayers to your family ~ Stephanie Williams (10/23/2017)
  • Micki was truly a special lady, I remember the first time I met her, I immediately liked her, and I'm so thankful for all she did for me and my kids through out their years going to school in Kadoka. Her smile and her laughter made everyone feel at home. We send our deepest sympathy to all the family, God be with all of you. ~ Chris and Diana Elwood Volborg, MT (10/23/2017)
  • Jodi, Jim, Jennifer and Families,
    I cannot begin to relate to ALL of the memories that I have of your Mom and things that we did together over the years between school, sporting events, Club 27 and many other events. And I probably shouldn't relate to all of them anyway!!! Micki was a wonderful friend and will forever be missed, but I will cherish the memories and so should you guys. Those memories go back a lot of years and they were truly fun and good times!! My sincere sympathy to all of you. Micki was loved and cherish by many people, obviously lots of children and adults. My thoughts and prayers to all of you!!     ~ Jean Holzkamp Kadoka (10/23/2017)
  • Jim, Jodi, and Jennifer, I am so very sorry for your loss. Words cannot express the sadness and sorrow I have felt since hearing of your mom's passing. I cannot think of a time throughout my life that your mom wasn't a part of, from the days at Marian's house before we started school, throughout our entire elementary and high school years, right up to the last weekend that I saw your mom, she was always smiling and saying to me...."Ellie Brown what you doing?". Your mom had such a caring touch and gentle smile, even when she was chewing us out for running up and down the stairs in the country house. Man oh man could she ever drive that road though, bottoming out the car and flying around the corners.....she was probably the one who invented drifting long ago. You mom was truly a very special lady to so many people and will be missed by each and every one that knew her. I know I will sure miss her when I go to visit mom. Love and Prayers to you all. ~ Ellie Bettelyoun Rushville, Nebraska (10/23/2017)
  • Rest in peace Micki. Thank you for your kindness to all the kids at school, what great memories! ~ Sue Hoon Kadoka (10/23/2017)
  • So happy I was able to spend some time with her a couple months ago. Rest In Peace Micki ~ Mary Jane TerEick Tempe, az (10/23/2017)
  • Micki was my other mother growing up. She took care of us at school, a band-aid for our booboos or a hug for sadness. Her smile and laughter were contagious. Truly blessed to have had her in my life. Hugs and Prayers to all of you. ~ Janelle Madsen Popwell Wellington, TX (10/23/2017)
  • Jim, Jodi and Jennifer and families...My deepest condolences to you all! I have so many fond memories of your mom, from the office at school to many birthday sleepovers, to her wonderful smile and humor at ballgames and the Club. She was and will forever be one of my favorite ladies/moms!! Huge hugs to you all! ~ Cheryl Ferguson (10/23/2017)