Margarite Root

of Midland, South Dakota, died on Thursday, March 20, 2003
at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 93

Margarite Katherine (Pitz) Root was born at Hoven, SD, July 28th, 1909 to Nicholas and Elizabeth (Matz) Pitz.

Margarite’s mother passed away when she was a child so she and her two sisters and a brother were raised by relatives, but in separate homes and sometimes Margarite was placed in the boarding school.

She received her education in Hoven, and after that she was sent to Midland, SD, to live with her father and stepmother.

She was united in marriage to Clarence Root on January 9th, 1926 in Ft. Pierre, SD. She made a vow that no matter how many children she may have she would give them all her love and care, something she didn’t get while she was a child. She also asked the Lord to let her live to see her children grow up and on their own, a wish the Lord granted her. She was a loving wife and mother.

To this union, five children were born; Merlene, Donald, James, Phyllis, and Karen. Phyllis passed away in 1945, at the age of nine.

Margarite was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland. She was a fifty year member of the Eastern Star, a charter member of the Home Extension Club, which she was a member for fifty-five years. She was a member of the Cancer Unit and still attends the Cancer Support Group. While living in Midland she was active in the Senior Citizens. She enjoyed doing crafts, crocheting, and playing cards. She worked at the Midland Coop Store, the U.S. Post Office, and was the first business manager for the Midland School, from which she retired after about fourteen years.

Margarite and her late husband lived in Midland for 67 years and in the same house for 65 years. They had 68 years together.

Due to failing health they moved to Rapid City in September 1990. Clarence passed away in 1994 and Margarite moved to Philip in 1999.

She is survived by two sons, Donald Root of Cheyenne, WY and James Root and his wife Jessica of Midland; two daughters, Merlene Rank of Rapid City, SD, and Karen Helmer and her husband Eldon, of Tucson, AZ; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one niece; three nephews on her side; several nieces and nephews of her late husband’s side; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence; her daughter Phyllis; a grandson, Larry Rank; three sisters, Helen Menuey, Susan Potter, and Anna Pitz; one brother, Mark Pitz; a son in-law Therman Rank; and a daughter in-law, Marilyn Root.

Margarite died Thursday afternoon at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Visitation was held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church.

Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 24, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland, with Pastor Paul Bly officiating.

Interment was at the Midland Cemetery, Midland.

A memorial is established.

MINISTER
Pastor Paul Bly

MUSIC
Marilyn Millage - Pianist
Haakon County Crooners

USHERS
Shorty Woitte - Ivan Schilling

ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
Gary Phillips - Randy Nemec
Richard Doud - Kory Bierle
Roger Dale- Russell Spinsby

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota

The love of a wonderful mother
Is something that always lives on,
Filling the days with sweet memories
Long after her presence is gone…

You still feel the warmth of her caring,
Her wisdom will never depart,
For the love of a wonderful mother
Forever lives on in your heart.

Service Details

Funeral Services
10:00 a.m.
Monday, March 24, 2003
Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland

Guest Book

This was one of a kind lady. She was such a joy to be around and always had a kind word for all. Bob and I met her through her daughter, Karen. I thank Karen for sharing her on her visits to Tucson. Margarite will be missed. My prayers to her family. Love Lyletta & Bob
   ~ Robert & Lyletta Groves 14517 N. Choctaw Dr., Tucson, AZ 85737 (3/20/2003)
A wonderful Mother, Mother-in-Law and Grandmother to us, she will be sadly missed. Mom had a loving heart always. She worked hard for all that she was and for all that she had. Thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts and words.
   ~ Edlon, Karen and Michael Helmer 1625 W. Ave. De Las Americas, Tucson, AZ 85704 (3/20/2003)
We are sorry for the loss of your dear mother. Margarite's smile always made you feel like she was glad to see you. It was a pleasure to see and visit with her. We were gone the day of her funeral and missed seeing all of you and offering our condolences. Please know our prayers are with you.
   ~ Morris & Barbara Jones Box 184, Midland, SD 57552 (3/20/2003)
Just returned from my brothers funeral and wish it had been possible to stay long enough to be with you all today. We knew your mother for so many years and continued contact after we moved away. She was a very special lady and an inspiration.
Our love and prayers are with you all.
   ~ Edith, Martin and Suzanne Schofield Box 555, Evansville, WY 82636 (3/20/2003)
I am sorry for your loss. Having grown up across the street from Margarite, I have many pleasant memories. Margarite always seemed to have time for kids in the neighborhood. I remember having conversations with her while she watered her plants and garden or other times just sitting on her back step while she was shucking peas or tending to some other garden grown produce. Margarite was very a very dear lady.
   ~ Laura Rothleutner Chugiak, AK (3/20/2003)
I got to know Margarite when we were in Extension club. Whenever I saw her, she always knew me and we chatted a bit. When she was in swing bed, she shared with me the importance of voting. She said she had only missed one election due to confusion of her registration. She was a special lady.
   ~ Delia Harty Philip, SD (3/20/2003)
Margarite was a wonderful person. No matter how old I was, she always remembered me and treated me like a little adult. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
   ~ Kathy Larson 438 39th Street NE, Cedar Rapids, IA (3/20/2003)
Mrs. Root was a wonderful person. She was a very good neighbor to my mother, Pearl Couch, when she lived at the Senechal. She will be missed by all who knew her. Sympathy to all her family.
   ~ Beverly Jahner Kerrville, Texas (3/20/2003)