RAPID CITY - Jean Wilmarth (Reynolds) Hirning, 90, passed away on December 14, 2015, at Rapid City Regional Hospital Auxiliary Hospice House in Rapid City.

She was born September 28, 1925, in Lead, South Dakota, to Harry B. and Edna (Wilmarth) Reynolds. She was educated during her primary grades in a one-room school house in Terraville, South Dakota, and graduated from Lead High School in 1943. She attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota, graduating in 1946 with Bachelor's Degrees in English and Education.

On June 16, 1946, she was united in marriage to John Herbert Hirning at the Methodist Church in Lead, South Dakota. Following their marriage they made their home in Dell Rapids, South Dakota, until moving to Rapid City in 1953.

She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Rapid City for over 60 years and participated in United Methodist Women, handbell choir, various committees and served as a member of the Board of Directors.

After her last child started school, she began her career as the librarian at West Junior High School in 1967 until her retirement 21 years later. Following her retirement, she became active in the Friends of the Library and the Rapid City Society for Genealogical Research. Jean enjoyed playing bridge, traveling, and attending her children's and grandchildren's activities.

She is survived by her six children: two sons, John C. of Rapid City and David of Black Hawk; four daughters, Robin Peterson and her friend, Dan Gerg, of Eugene, Oregon; Bonnie Kroeger of Rapid City; Mary Taylor and her husband, Kim, of Black Hawk; and Sally Tate and her husband, Anthony, of Santa Ana, California; nine grandchildren: Richard Kroeger, Kevin Peterson, Ryan Peterson, Christy Land, Kara Taylor, Christopher Taylor, Jonathan Tate, AnnMarie Tate, and Emily Tate; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John; her parents; two sisters, Helen Tysell and Ruth M. Reynolds; son-in-law, Daryl Peterson; and David's longtime companion, Paula Kirchgasler.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 18, at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Services will be at 3:00 pm on Saturday, December 19, at the First United Methodist Church, 7th and Kansas City Street in Rapid City with The Reverend Greg Kroger officiating.

Private inurnment services will be held at Pine Lawn Memorial Park at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated for the First United Methodist Church, an endowed scholarship fund at Dakota Wesleyan University, or Hospice of the Hills.