Magdalene "Madge" Anna Richards, 98 of Spearfish and formerly of Belle Fourche died Thursday, December 26th 2007 at Dorsett Regional Senior Care in Spearfish.

Memorial services will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, December 29th 2007 at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Belle Fourche with Reverend Buck Malone officiating. Inurnment will be at Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche.

A memorial has been established to benefit the United Church of Christ Congregational in Belle Fourche. Condolences may be sent to: 144 East Michigan Street, Spearfish, SD 57783

Madge was born April 7th 1909 in Augustenborg, Denmark on the island of Als, the daughter of George and Christine (Vierek) Jepsen. She immigrated with her parents to America in 1913, and arrived in Belle Fourche in 1918 via Philadelphia, PA, Wessington Springs, SD and Zeona, SD. She graduated from Belle Fourche High School and attended Black Hills Normal School for one year. Madge married Donald "Ray" Richards on March 12, 1935 in Belle Fourche where the couple made their home until his death, at which time she moved to Spearfish. In 1942 when her husband served in World War II she began working at JCPenney in the women's clothing department. She held this job for over 30 years and upon retirement was associated with Geneva Widdos in her clothing store.

Madge was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant sister in Denmark, a brother and two great grandchildren in infancy.

Madge is survived by her son Gary R. (Ann) Richards of Spearfish, grandchildren; Donald (Valerie) Richards of Spearfish, Susan (Randy) Connelly of Sioux Falls, SD, and Christine (Christopher) Williams of Spearfish, and 7 great grandchildren.

Madge was one of the oldest active members of the United Church of Christ Congregational in Belle Fourche. She was a kind, loving lady who lived a long and productive life. She had a great sense of humor and was very proud of her Danish heritage. She will be greatly missed.