RAPID CITY — Pauline Yvonne (Prather) Manus, 84, died Feb. 15, 2024, at her home in Rapid City, S.D.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church in Rapid City.  A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow the service.

A graveside service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024 , in New Woodlawn Cemetery, Pipestone, Minn., followed by an informal gathering for family and friends.

Pauline was born to James V. and Helen M. Prather on July 20, 1939, in Bremerton, Wash. She grew up on 11 acres of wooded property on Pine Road that, since 1977, has been the location of Bremerton Elks Lodge #1181. Pauline had fond memories of playing in the woods with her older brother, Rob, and older sister, Clare, and outings to drive-in movies with her parents and her younger brother, Jimmy, and younger sister, Judy.

Pauline graduated from Central Kitsap High School in 1958 and attended Olympic College in Bremerton, Wash. She then transferred to Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. While at WSU, Pauline met Louis J. Manus Jr. on a Halloween hayride. Pauline and Louis were married on June 30, 1962, in Bremerton, Wash. Pauline and Louis have a daughter, Tanya Lynn, a son, Eric Brian, and a son who died in infancy, Fredrick Scott.

In 1971, Pauline, Louis and Tanya moved from Pullman, Wash., to Dover, N.H., and Eric was born there. In 1974, the family moved to Pierre, S.D., where Pauline and Louis lived for 25 years.

Pauline's career included working at the University of Washington School of Dentistry in Seattle, Wash., six years as a bank teller in Bellevue and Pullman, Wash., and 19 years as a librarian at Rawlins Municipal Library in Pierre, S.D. One of her favorite aspects of working at Rawlins was creating exhibits for display cases in the library's foyer.

Creative activities were Pauline's lifelong joys. In high school, college and as a young working woman and mother, she sewed some of her own clothes and some of Tanya's and Eric's. Pauline designed original patterns for quilts and keepsakes she made for Tanya and Eric. She designed cards and stationery, often with Bible verses, for all seasons and occasions. Pauline used her cards and stationery to write cheerful letters to family, friends and especially to her children when they were at college and starting their careers. Her letters made any day brighter.

Pauline taught Sunday school at First Baptist Church in Pierre, S.D., for many years and while doing so, she designed an Easter cookie for her Sunday school classes to make. The cookie depicts the cross upon which Jesus was crucified, the stone rolled away from the tomb where Jesus was buried, and flowers to represent the new life Jesus offers. Pauline was grateful when some people told her the cookie helped them better understand the meaning of Easter.

She was an avid supporter of Louis and Eric when they performed in Pierre Players community theater productions, and of Eric when he performed in concerts at school and in college. Pauline believed performers need an enthusiastic audience, and that's what she was. Pauline and Tanya enjoyed artistic projects, decorating, and going to craft shows. Creative time together was precious.

Pauline was known for her positive outlook. Pauline recalled someone told her she was an encourager. She decided "OK, I can do that," and she continually made an effort to encourage and brighten the lives of those around her. Upon learning of Pauline's death, a relative described Pauline as having a kind heart that shone through brighter than fireworks.

Pauline said she always wanted to help her children be prepared for life, and she did that in a myriad of ways. Pauline assembled a cookbook, "Eating with Eric," when Eric was diagnosed with allergies as a toddler, and she expanded the cookbook two years ago when Tanya developed allergies as an adult.

Pauline's two most heartfelt projects were her Hat Box Tea Party ministry and her family genealogy cookbooks.

Pauline created her Hat Box Tea Party ministry in 1989. Inspired by Pauline's mother, the Hat Box Tea Parties can be taken to those who are home-bound or who would enjoy a tea party without having to leave their home. Pauline transported the tea parties to family, friends and acquaintances in elegant hat boxes she designed and decorated.

Pauline liked the joy Hat Box Tea Parties gave to others. Some of the women at these tea parties told her, "Oh, I had to give up all my pretty things to move into a retirement home," and they enjoyed having tea on pretty dishes Pauline provided. Guests especially liked the hats Pauline brought for them to wear. Pauline was delighted to see the guests having fun choosing hats to coordinate with their outfits while Pauline made tea, set the table and served them a luncheon meal she'd brought in the hat boxes.

Pauline even took her Hat Box Tea Party supplies on the road when she and Louis traveled. Pauline and Louis loved to travel and did so often with their children. In retirement, Pauline and Louis spent a year living in their motorhome and exploring the southern United States. Their biggest adventure was perhaps celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2012 with a train trip across Canada. The month-long trip was one they talked about and remembered fondly for the rest of their lives.

Pauline's decades-long project was creating original, customized family genealogy cookbooks that combine photos, family genealogy, recipes and more. She gave these cookbooks to nearly two dozen family members and, until days before her death, she was continuing to add to the books. Pauline loved to share those cookbooks and ideas for preserving family history.

Pauline and Louis moved to Rapid City, S.D., in 2000, where Pauline loved hosting tea parties for Tanya's birthday and for friends and family.

Pauline and Tanya joined the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) women's service organization in 2017. Pauline was a legacy member of DAR. She was a member of Black Hills Chapter DAR in Rapid City, S.D., and an associate member of the William Wilson Chapter DAR in Garden City, Kansas. Pauline's grandmother, Mamie Younkin Prather, was the founder and first regent of the William Wilson chapter, and Pauline's aunt Leva Prather Smithe was a member of the William Wilson chapter.

Pauline was an 18-year member of the Gold Dust Chapter Vintage Motor Car Club of America in Rapid City, S.D., along with Louis and Tanya.

Pauline was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Rapid City, S.D. One of her favorite Bible verses was "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible," Matthew 19:26. Pauline said that verse kept her going, especially as she battled cancer four times during the last 19 years of her life.

Pauline is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, Louis; her daughter, Tanya; her sisters, Clare (Prather) Roush and Judy (Prather) Gormanson; and extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her sons, Fredrick and Eric; her parents; and her brothers Robert Prather and James V. Prather, Jr.

Her family suggests memorial gifts for a cause near to Pauline's heart. Pauline remembered a time while she was growing up when her parents were financially stressed, and they could only give her enough money to buy a bowl of soup for lunch at school. Pauline never forgot the struggle of being hungry while trying to learn and participate in her classes. Because of her experience, for several years Pauline donated money to her neighborhood public elementary school to help buy children's lunches. Please consider making a memorial gift to pay for students' lunches at the public school of your choice.