Margaret Heier

Mass of Christian burial for Margaret Heier, 87, of Hosmer, SD, will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 27, 2014, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hosmer, with Father Mike Kelly and Father DeWayne Kayser, con-celebrating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign her online guestbook at schriversmemorial.com.

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m., Sunday, at the mortuary in Aberdeen with a Liturgical Wake service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to Mass at the church on Monday.

Margaret passed away Thursday, October 23, 2014, at ManorCare Health Services in Aberdeen.

Margaret Hopfinger was born on February 18, 1927, in Bowdle, SD, to Adam and Mary (Reinboldt) Hopfinger. She attended school in Hosmer through her sophomore year, when her family moved to Aberdeen, SD. Margaret graduated from Aberdeen Central High School with the Class of 1945. Following graduation, Margaret began working at K.O. Lee Company and remained working there until her wedding day. She always talked about her time at K.O. Lee as some of the best work experiences she had. Margaret said that since the men were off at war, she was able to do the men's work and she was darn good at it.

Margaret was united in marriage to Adam Heier on November 10, 1947, in Aberdeen. They farmed in the Hosmer area and moved to the Heier Family Farm in 1953. She loved living on the farm and doing the work. The couple retired from farming and moved into Hosmer in October of 1975. Margaret then took a job at the Hosmer Senior Citizen's Home as a nurse's aid, which would eventually turn into a 30-year career there, during which time she earned her certificate as a Medication Aid. Even though work was difficult, Margaret approached each day with a positive attitude. She had a deep respect for her co-workers and developed a good personal relationship with each of them. She would often cover shifts for them at Thanksgiving and Christmas so they could be home with their families. She also grew to love the residents she helped take care of. On occasion, she would spend part of her days off visiting the residents. This was especially true of Mother's Day if she knew the resident's family wouldn't be there. After her "official" retirement date, she kept going into work to help out until 2009.

Margaret was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hosmer, where she was active in the Altar Society and The Catholic Daughters. She also served as Treasurer for the Adolph Forkel American Legion Auxiliary and was a member of the Book Club in Hosmer. Margaret enjoyed gardening and cleaning. She also enjoyed playing cards and games, especially with her grandchildren. Margaret loved attending her children's events and especially enjoyed watching their basketball games.

Blessed to have shared Margaret's life are her daughters: Kathy (Stan) Mohr of Clark, SD, Bernie (Jack) Davis of Woonsocket, SD and Carol Scholten of Renner, SD; her sons: Leonard (Jean) Heier of Rapid City, SD, Pius (Gerri) Heier of Aberdeen, Barney (Pam) Heier of Sioux Falls, SD, Raphael Heier of Renner, SD, Robert Heier of Kulm, ND, Wendelyn Heier of Arnold, CA, John (Kathy) Heier of Aberdeen, Mike (Barb) Heier of Colorado Springs, CO, Edward (Brenda) Heier of Prior Lake, MN, and Tim (Michelle) Heier of Longmont, CO; one sister, Josephine Heier of Aberdeen; 35 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren, with three more on the way.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Adam; her parents, Adam and Mary; five sisters: Francis Heilman, Magdalena "Lena" Harty, Phillipine Harty, Leona Malsam and Mary Hopfinger, who died in infancy; and one grandson, Derek.