Margaret “Peggy” Ellen Hook was born on September 25, 1938, to Margaret (O’Connell) and Lawrence Gittings in Midland, South Dakota. Peggy attended elementary school at the Hart School in Milesville, South Dakota. She then attended high school at St. Martin’s Academy in Sturgis, where she graduated in 1956. She then went on to get her teaching certificate from Black Hills State University in Spearfish.

Peggy worked at the Haakon County Courthouse for a period of time as the assistant county superintendent of the country schools. She then went on to begin her teaching career at Alfalfa Valley School, kickstarting a multi-year career in education teaching a multitude of different classes. She also owned the Philip Floral shop and enjoyed years of creating beautiful bouquets.

In 1958, Peggy met Dwilyn “PeeWee” Hook in Philip. They were wed in Philip on June 1, 1960, and went on to have four children: Toby, Marty, and the twins J’Nai and Jared.

After retiring, Peggy continued to do the books for the Philip Body Shop and spent her time canning, playing Bridge and Canasta, crocheting, crosswords, Sodoku, making egg on toast and chocolate milk, and dying dozens of Easter eggs with her grandchildren, and competing with the other contestants on Jeopardy from her recliner at home.

Peggy is survived by her husband of 63 years, PeeWee; sons Toby Hook of Philip; Marty (Cheryl) Hook of Mobridge; Jared Hook of Philip; and daughter J’Nai (Duane) Hauk of Quinn; brothers Leo (Sandra) Gittings of Nemo/Philip; Charlie (Diane) Gittings of Philip; Joe (Kathy) Gittings of Philip; and sister-in-law Sandee Gittings of Philip.

Grandchildren: Stephanie (Wayce) Waller, Hunter (Eliza) Hook, Allen (Lauren) Hauk, Jordan Hauk, Sierra (Dickson) Bast, Gunner Hook, Kendal (Trevor) Lau, Levi Hook, and Dylan Hook. Great -Grandchildren: Alexis, Madison, and Brody Gisi; Tinsley Hauk; Margot Hook and expected baby boy Dwilyn Hook due in March; BexLee Krogstad; and Eli Hook. Many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Lawrence Gittings; her older brother Larry, as a toddler; her brother George Gittings, her sister-in-law Judie Gittings, and nephew Jamie “Spud” Gittings.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. with a Christian Vigil starting at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 24, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

A Christian Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 25, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

A Christian Funeral Committal will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Memorials can be mailed to P.O. Box 288, Philip, South Dakota, 57567.