Marjory Lou Konechne, 80, passed away January 2, 2017 at Clarkson Mt. View Health Care Facility in Rapid City. She was born August 4, 1936 at Glenwood, MN to August and Ada (Sorenson) Schmitz. She grew up on the family farm near Villard, MN. Marjory was only five when she contracted polio in 1941. The next several months were spent in a hospital in Minneapolis receiving the Sister Kenny Polio Treatment. She developed a very independent spirit never letting her disability hinder or define her. She believed what's taken away is given back twice; you've been given so much more than was ever taken away. While growing up during summer harvest season she was her Dad's #1 tractor driver. He taught her traditional values, work habits, and responsibility. She had a special bond with her sisters and somehow, some way 3 little girls grew up as best friends and they are so glad they did.

Marjory graduated from Villard High School in 1954 as valedictorian of her class. She attended Macalester College in St. Paul, MN graduating in 1958 with a degree in Elementary Education. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, a national honor society that recognizes scholastic achievement in the field of education.

The summer following graduation she got a job working at Mt. Rushmore and in the fall started teaching kindergarten in Rapid City. While at Macalester, she was enrolled in the Miss Woods program which specialized in the training of kindergarten teachers. That background served her well during her 35 years teaching kindergarten in the Rapid City school system.

On July 27, 1959, Marjory married Donald Konechne, a rancher/gardener from Rapid City. Together they raised three sons who were actively involved in the ranch and truck garden operation until their college years.

The ranch was their home for over 50 years. With their combined work ethic and creativity, Don and Marjory made a great team and their farm became a spectacular, peaceful environment for family and friends. Marjory always said "I'm not an exceptional landscaper but exceptionally determined: and she loved creating unique areas taking advantage of the natural, open spaces the setting provided for work and play. The result was a transformation into a park-like atmosphere of flowers, plants, trees, rock walls, boulders, antiques and pathways that provided the serenity of rural living while living close to city conveniences. Thank you, old and young friends, neighbors, family, relatives for the pick and shovel "grunt" work plus the machine and mental and physical expertise to accomplish the various projects. People often asked, "why would anyone want to travel when you could live here?"

If one measures a woman by her family and friends, Marj was a hundred times full. She was a no-nonsense, straight shooter who did not choose friends based on whether they agreed with her and liked a spirited discussion of ideas, philosophy and principles. She was fiercely proud of her family, especially her grandchildren, and friends. The blessing of such a full and rich life circle of minds will remain unbroken still loving and influencing each other.

Marjory is survived by her husband, Donald, Rapid City; three sons, Jim (Peggy), Rapid City, John (Jackie), Alamo, CA, and Dan, Rapid City; four grandchildren, Morgan (Adler) Lietz, Dublin, CA, Jacob Konechne, Alamo, CA, Danielle Konechne and Jocelyn Konechne, both of Rapid City; two sisters, Muriel (Al) Schoon, Mankato, MN, Judy (Dale) Winch, Champlin, MN, her sister-in-law, Barbara Flynn, Rapid City, brother-in-law David (Elaine) Konechne, Pierre, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, August, her mother, Ada, her brother Arthur, and her brother John.

Visitation will be Sunday from 6 pm to 7 pm at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City with a Christian Wake Service at 7pm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 am, Monday, January 9 at Our Lady of the Black Hills in Piedmont with the Reverend Andrzej Wyrostek presiding. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Hills, Rapid City or Clarkson Mt. View Health Care Facility, Rapid City.