Peggy Powell

A graveside service for Mary Margaret “Peggy” Powell, age 89, of Gregory, SD, was held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at My Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette, WY, with Pastor Alex Bendig officiating.

Peggy was born May 22, 1936, in Gillette, WY, to Harold Holden Saunders and Margaret Mary (Rohan) Saunders. She grew up in Gillette with her two sisters and brother, surrounded by both sets of grandparents and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Peggy attended Campbell County Schools for all twelve years, graduating as salutatorian in 1954, and attended the University of South Dakota.

Peggy met the love of her life, Perry Powell, in 1952 on a double date with two close friends. On August 30, 1957, Peggy and Perry, along with Sue McClain and Jack Conrad, were married at the Chapel of the Transfiguration in Moose, WY.

Peggy and Perry soon began their family and were blessed with four children: Sarah, Susan, Warren, and Mary. They made their home in Littleton, CO, where they enjoyed many happy years filled with camping, fishing, and horseback riding.

In the fall of 1973, Perry moved ahead to prepare a new home south of Dallas, SD. Peggy and the children soon followed, beginning a new chapter centered around ranch life— raising cattle, putting up hay, tending chickens, and gardening. Though Peggy had always been a devoted homemaker, she quickly became skilled in outdoor ranch work as well. She later began working as a high school secretary and eventually served as a school business manager.

Peggy was best known as an excellent cook who loved trying new recipes. She was a talented seamstress and homemaker and enjoyed canning, cleaning, playing bridge and golf, singing in the church choir, playing along with Jeopardy!, and visiting residents in nursing homes. She will be remembered by many as a loyal and caring friend.

In the mid-1990s, Peggy and Perry began spending their winters in Arizona, where they made many new friends and became very active in church activities. They enjoyed hosting friends from South Dakota and showing them the local sights.

Peggy passed away January 6, 2026, at Avera Gregory Healthcare Center in Gregory, SD.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Perry Powell; her daughters, Sarah (Paul) Fiebelkorn, Susan (Michael) Johnson, and Mary (Rod) Odenbach; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Sallie and Virginia; her brother William; and her son Warren Bradley.