RAPID CITY Marianne (Kneebone) Burg, 95, formerly of Pierre, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 21, 2014 at home in the loving arms of her children. Marianne was born October 6, 1918, at home near Oelrichs, South Dakota, the fifth of seven children born to John Thomas and Flora Barbara (Forney) Kneebone. She graduated from Oelrichs High School in 1936 and then attended Chadron State Teachers College for a year to obtain her teaching certificate. In February 1938 she met a young man named Jake at a country dance. He always said it was love at first sight; she said he shouldn't say that or people might think he needed his eyes checked. She married Jacob H. Burg on Easter Sunday, March 24, 1940, near Bluebell Lodge in Custer State Park and they were married for 69 years. This marriage was blessed with four children: Robert, Patricia, Barbara and Glenna. Marianne taught for five years at several country schools in Fall River County (Muhm, Minnekahta, Lithia). After her second child was born she became a stay-at-home mom and provided a very warm and loving environment for her family, keeping an immaculate home. She enjoyed baking and always had some special treat for her family. After leaving Fall River County the family lived in DeSmet, Pierre, and Custer State Park and then moved back to Pierre where Marianne and Jake lived for over 40 years. Marianne worked at the State Library in Pierre for 18 years. She thought it was the perfect job because she loved to read and she just enjoyed being around books. Her favorite author was James Michener; her favorite book was Hawaii. She encouraged her children to read and to learn, and she and Jake sacrificed so the four of them could get a college education. After Marianne and Jake retired they traveled around the United States (including eight trips to Alaska) and to Canada, the birthplace of her father. Marianne was very proud of her English (Cornwall)/Canadian heritage. She kept in contact with her Canadian relatives and shared genealogy with them. She often told stories about her parents, grandparents, siblings, and had a memory like a computer! Marianne also liked counted cross-stitch especially pictures of the Hummel figures. If she wasn't reading she was cross-stitching. She had a great sense of humor, a great sense of fun and could be feisty! She loved the South Dakota prairie and its beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Above all, Marianne loved her family and was always there for them. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother. She enjoyed every moment she could spend with her grandchildrenshe dearly loved them. Marianne had a deep faith. She grew up attending the Methodist church in Oelrichs but was baptized as an adult at St. John's Lutheran Church in Smithwick, SD, a church her husband's grandparents helped establish. She was a member of Lutheran Memorial Church in Pierre for almost 50 years. After retiring, Marianne read the Bible to Jake every morning, reading it completely at least twice. Blessed and grateful to have shared her life are her son, Robert (Betty) of Fairbanks, Alaska, and three daughters, Patricia Burg of Rapid City, Barbara (Dan) Dolan of Rapid City, and Glenna Burg of Bozeman, MT. Three grandsons: Christopher (Breanna) McDaniel, Sioux Falls, Kelly (Molly) McDaniel, Rosemount, MN, and Jacques Dolan, Sandy Springs, GA. Four step-grandchildren: Gordon (Melissa) Wanamaker, Anchorage, AK, Dale (Roseanne) Wanamaker, Seattle, WA, AnnMarie (Jeff) McCollum, Dyer, IN, Audrey (Roger) Mauer, Fairbanks, AK. Three great grandchildren: Jayden and Mackenzie McDaniel, Sioux Falls and Olivia Anne McDaniel, Rosemount, MN. Eleven step-great grandchildren: Paisley and Ella Wanamaker, Anchorage; Taylor (Breanna) Wanamaker, Fairbanks; Gabriel, Britana, Nicole Wanamaker, Seattle; Cole (Katie), Lee, Marc, Arin McCollum, Dyer, IN; Scott Groff, Fairbanks. Three step-great great grandchildren: Jax and Daphne Wanamaker, Ephram McCollum. Marianne is also survived by one sister, Frances Kaiser, Hot Springs, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jacob, who died August 21, 2009; Jacob came to welcome her to Heaven's dance floor on August 21, 2014. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, at South Canyon Lutheran Church with Rev. Bruce Thalacker officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to services. Interment will take place on Tuesday, September 2, at Riverside Cemetery in Pierre. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest memorials to the Feeding South Dakota Backpack Program.