Marion "Peggy" Kamstra, age 89, died on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, at the Sandstone Manor in Spearfish, SD. Peggy was surrounded by family members at the time of her passing. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, September 21, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church in Brookings with interment at Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings. There will be a reception following the burial services at the First Presbyterian Church. Visitations will be from 2-4 P.M. Saturday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Peggy was born July 27, 1925, in Miller, South Dakota, as the older of two daughters born to her loving parents, Ralph and Marion Leach. Peggy grew up on the hard scrabble plains of South Dakota in the small town of Ree Heights, SD. Her childhood days were filled with family outings, 4-H, church choir, school activities, and part-time work in the local drug store. Peggy married Les Kamstra in 1948. Together they spent nearly all of their married lives in Brookings, SD as educators with SDSU. They had six children - Lynne, Mark, Lance, Kim, Leigh, and Lex. During nearly 50 years of marriage, Peggy and Les raised their family, traveled extensively, excelled professionally, and enjoyed the life of a small prairie college town. Peggy sang in the Presbyterian choir for over 40 years and supported other church activities, was active in many community events, and supported her six childrens' educational and extracurricular successes and activities. Peggy moved to Spearfish in 2010 to be closer to family. Education was an important part of Peggy's life, her heritage, and her legacy. Her mother was a retired teacher and Peggy was a career teacher with over 30 years of dedicated service. She graduated from SDSU in 1947 and began her teaching career at Canistota, SD. Over time Peggy went on earn a Master's degree from SDSU and taught clothing and textiles at SDSU for nearly 23 years. She retired from SDSU in 1987. Peggy was a lifetime student. She had real thirst to know and understand the ways of the world. Peggy was always reading newspapers and books. It was not unusual for Peggy to read five books a week. Peggy also enjoyed researching family genealogy. To her credit, Peggy created the most detailed documented history of both sides of her family that ever existed. In her spare time Peggy loved card games and was a master at all forms of electronic solitaire. She was an outstanding wife, mother, teacher, and friend. She loved life and lived it by setting an example in humility, understanding, and caring. Peggy is survived by her daughters Lynne Ipina of Laramie, WY, Leigh Kamstra of Spearfish, SD; sons Mark Kamstra (Jane) of Danville, CA, Lance Kamstra (Karie) of Silverton, OR, and Lex Kamstra (Yvonne) of Lakewood, CO; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Les Kamstra, daughter Kim Kamstra, and her sister Bonnie.