Marlene “Micki” Word

Marlene "Micki" Word, age 77, Kadoka, S.D., died Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

 

Marlene "Micki" Wald was born March 19, 1940, the daughter of Anton and Rose Wald. 

 

Micki grew up on the family farm near Zeeland, N.D., with her four younger brothers, where they learned the value of hard work, milking cows and picking rocks. 

 

Micki graduated from Zeeland High School and attended the University of North Dakota. She later moved to Minneapolis to live the glamorous life in the big city with her girlfriends. 

 

It was in Minneapolis while working at a bank that she met Bob Word. They were married Nov. 8, 1969, in Deadwood. To this marriage three children were born, Jim, Jodi and Jennifer. 

 

Bob and Micki made their home on the Word ranch south of Kadoka. In the early days on the ranch, Micki was busy raising kids, running the household, gardening, canning and sewing. 

 

In 1979, Micki took a job at the Kadoka school where she worked for the next 33 years. Micki cared for countless children over her years at the school, loving them all as her own. Micki always had a smile, a hug or an encouraging word for every kid. She made life long friendships with the adults and kids alike while working at the school. 

 

Micki was well-known for her work ethic. She also worked several other long-term jobs in Kadoka – waiting tables at the Club 27, cleaning rooms at the H & H and visiting with tourists at the Prairie Homestead. She enjoyed the dear friends she made and meeting new people in each of these endeavors.

 

Micki enjoyed crocheting, knitting, other crafts, and reading, but her favorite hobby was watching sporting events … any sporting event. Other than Christmas, her favorite time of year was March Madness. She was sure to get in a pool or two. No doubt she is in heaven enjoying her Yankees, Fighting Irish and Packers once again.

 

Micki’s greatest gift was caring for others. Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Jim and Amy Word, Fallon, Nev., Jodi and Norm Cox, Casper, Wyo., Jennifer and Kirk Dennis, Piedmont; nine grandchildren, Tyler, Skyler, Emerson and Finley Word, Ethan, Avery and Isaiah Cox, Kale and Sawyer Dennis; her four brothers, Rod Wald, Robert (Rena) Wald, Leon (Carol) Wald, Ken (Bobbi) Wald; sisters-in-law, Norma Word and Phyllis Word; and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Micki was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Word, July 18, 2015; her parents; a sister-in-law, Marcella Wald; brothers-in-law, Don and Zack Word; and nephews, Don Clay and Grady Word.

 

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Kadoka City Auditorium in Kadoka.

 

Interment will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

 

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Kadoka.