December 2019-Marge Marken

I was a World War II baby and my father returned from the war when I was 2.58 years old. My father arrived home one day earlier than expected, walked from the train station and picked me up in the yard. He said he was my daddy and I told him he wasn’t because my daddy was coming home the next day. It was about a year before I began to like him or would even sit by him at the kitchen table.

I grew up in the Emery-Bridgewater area on a farm and in the early years we had no electricity or running water and we had an outhouse (many times was scared of the boogeyman). We had kerosene lamps and water was carried in from the well.

Upon graduation from high school I moved to Sioux Falls, attended Nettleton College and then worked for a wholesale drug company.

In 1967, I moved to Rapid City with my 9 week old daughter Kim. I worked for the South Dakota School of Mines for 39.67 years as Budget Manager and in charge of the payrolls. For 32 of those years, I lived in Mother Hubbard’s cupboard before purchasing my home.

Kim and her husband Rich have a daughter, Alex, who is a senior in high school and they live in Phoenix, AZ. I hike South Mountain whenever I go to Phoenix.

Back in my day there was no such thing as sports for girls. Just before I retired (first time 2006), Teresa Verburg, (we were doing spinners) told me to join the Runners Club, that they were the best (nobody cared if you ran or walked or what you did for a living).

I worked one more year and then began going to Runners Club. I mostly walk and jog. It is an opportunity to meet new people, get in some miles and the reward is beer and pizza (food). On Saturday mornings go out on the trails with the Wild Bunch group, etc., the reward is great food. I strive to get out 4 or 5 times a week.

I have done 3 half marathons, the Fargo, the Leading Ladies and the Deadwood-Mickelson and several 5K and 10Ks.

When I was working I went to Spa 80 for many years at 5:30 a.m., but in the summer would bike ride every working morning @5:05 a.m. for 14 miles and then again on the weekends.

Shortly after joining the Runners Club, it was suggested that I attend a board meeting. (On my own, I probably would not have attended.) After that meeting, I received a telephone call from Lesley asking if I would consider being the treasurer. I said yes (I am not good at saying no). I have been treasurer for 10 years and have said yes to treasurer for another two years.