Memorial services for Marjorie Katus, age 98, of Lemmon, SD will be held at 2:00 p.m. MT on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church in McIntosh, SD. Pastor Tottie Lenerville will officiate with burial at the McIntosh Cemetery.


Marjorie G. (Thompson) Katus was born on August 11, 1912 in Ayr ND, the eldest child of Gertrude (Gertie) Leadbetter and Thomas (Tom) Thompson. She died peacefully on February 25, 2011 at Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon SD where she lived for the last year-and-a-half.


Marjorie lived her early life in Ayr ND. When she was six years old, following a fire on the Ayr family homestead, her father moved the family to Mahto SD where they farmed with Edith (Marjorie's maternal aunt) and Ralph Speirs. Later, her father worked for the railroad, first in Mahto, then in Watauga SD.


Marjorie grew up in Mahto and graduated from McLaughlin SD High School in 1931. She attended Northern State University (then Northern Normal School) and received her SD Teaching Certificate in 1932. She taught at the Grand Valley Country School south of Keldron SD from 1932-1934 and at the Trail City SD Reinbold School from 1934-35. She drove home to Watauga on weekends in a Model T Ford that her father had bought her. She married Elwyn D. (Barney) Katus on September 28, 1935. They made their home in McIntosh SD and had three children: Tom, born in 1940, Jean in 1944 and DeLaine in 1949.


Marj and Barney extended their home to many. After the early death of her mother, Marj raised her younger siblings, Elton, Anne and Bernice. During the war years, Marj's sister-in-law, Millie and her young son, Don lived with Marj and Barney. (Each of Marjorie's three siblings served in the military in World War II, and the family proudly displayed a flag with three gold stars.) Members of Barney's family also lived with them from time to time, as did many other family members and friends. A number of students who lived in the country and came to school in McIntosh stayed with the family during the week. She also cared for many children in her home. Marj became a "second mother" to many of these young folks. Primary among these is Kaye (Schulz) Snow, one of Marjorie's "honorary kids." The family home was a second home to so many people that it would be impossible to count and name them all but each one was "special" to Marj, and her list of "children" ranges far beyond her own three kids.


Marj was well-known for her delicious homemade bread and cinnamon rolls. There was always plenty of food and overnight space for friends and relatives. Drop-ins were common and always welcomed. Often hoboes came to the house and were given food. Marj often called the Katus household "Grand Central Station," saying that there was always room for one more! She was also fondly known as the town tailor, mending and sewing many and diverse items of clothing. In addition, she was a self-taught barber and cut many heads of hair over the years.


Teaching was central to Marj's life. She taught kindergarten for a number of years in McIntosh and then continued to substitute teach at all grade levels—even into her 80s. Her most rewarding teaching experience was with the Bullhead SD Head Start program where she served as Head Teacher. During that time, she took several classes at Sitting Bull College (then Standing Rock College) and further coursework to receive her Child Development Associates Certification. She regarded education highly, instilling that value in her kids, along with her sense of independence and caring about community. She was very proud of her children's academic success and their public service accomplishments.


Marjorie also received certification for several Red Cross First Aid and Home Nursing trainings. She frequently said that if she hadn't been a teacher, she would have been a nurse. In fact, she was called upon countless times to provide emergency care in the community, bandaging wounds and "stitching" cuts with her homemade butterfly closures.


Marj was an extremely involved community member. She held various church offices at the First Presbyterian Church, including many years as Sunday School Superintendent and teacher. She was an avid United Presbyterian Women member and leader, taught Bible School, led youth groups and sang with the church choir for dozens of years. She was very active in Extension Club and held offices at the local, county and state levels. She was a proud lifelong Democrat, assisting with both Barney's and son Tom's political campaigns, as well chairing the Corson County Democratic Party. She was instrumental in the implementation and continuation of the senior meals program and served on its regional board. With all these organizations, she traveled to all parts of the state for meetings and conferences where she made many lasting friendships. A fond memory is wherever we traveled, it seemed she knew someone in every town.


Marjorie "held court" at her 90th birthday celebration, a demonstration of people's love and admiration for this McIntosh "icon." Scores of relatives and friends, including many from out of the area, came to greet her and wish her well. It was one of her most warmhearted memories, and she often spoke about it.


Though McIntosh was Marjorie's home for nearly all her adult life, she also lived for extended periods in Carson City NV, Rapid City SD, Thermopolis WY and Lemmon SD.


Survivors include her children: Tom Katus, Rapid City; Jean Katus, Rapid City; DeLaine Katus ( John Stuver), Broadus MT; grandchildren: Karen Fritts, Littleton CO; David Katus, McIntosh; Kimberly (Mike) Lindberg, Keystone SD; Jane Barden (Mike Jenuwine), South Bend IN; Jeff (Darcie Hansen) Barden, St. Louis Park MN; Sarah (Steve) Radabaugh, Worland WY; Jackson Hayes, University of WY, Laramie; great-grandchildren: Rebecca Katus and Heather Fritts; Mikayla and Hailey Katus; Hunter, Drake, Reed and Gage Lindberg; Maisie Jenuwine; Harrison and Griffin Barden; Ivy Radabaugh; her sister, Anne Johnson, Eugene OR; special sister-in-law, Ruth Katus, Lemmon; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.


Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband Barney; her parents; two brothers, Gordon and Elton (and dear friend and sister-in-law Millie); two sisters, Marion and Bernice; and numerous extended family members. All who knew her miss her cheerful smile and unwavering positive attitude.