Peggy Sue Bernards of Lead, South Dakota, passed away peacefully with her husband by her side on April 12th, 2024.

Peggy was born May 5th, 1957, in Abilene, Kansas to Marvin Bernhardt and Illa Bernhardt (Roehrer).  Although born in Kansas, Peggy spent most of her childhood and formative years in Fishtail, Montana, living with big sister Karen, whom Peggy considered a mother.  Peggy graduated from Absarokee High School in 1977, and that summer she married her high school sweetheart Gary Rickman.  Although the union would come to an end, Peggy would tell fond stories of her time living on the ranch and was blessed with three children.

Peggy moved to Deadwood, South Dakota in 1990 and soon met the love of her life, Roger Bernards.  Roger and Peggy were married in 1990 and spent the next 34 years together.  They raised a son and shared a life.

Peggy was known for her sense of humor and caring nature.  She always held a place in her heart for animals and would nurture sick and injured animals back to health, including an elk and a pet racoon.  Peggy was a poet and a writer and would often sit at the table and write her thoughts and emotions, with scribbles and doodles on the margins.  Most of all, she was a compassionate person and a loving mother.  Peggy will always be remembered for how she cared for and loved her children and grandchildren.

Peggy is survived by her husband, Roger, her children Travis Rickman, Amanda Rickman, and Jake (Allie) Bernards, her sisters, Karen Reiner, Pat Hagen, her special uncle Terry Schmidt, her dear cousins Angela Pennington and Buck Reiner, and two grandchildren, Analeigh and Coen Bernards.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Illa, her brothers Marvin Bernhardt and Jim Bernhardt, and her son, Nathan Rickman.

Memorial services will be at 2:30 PM on April 19th, 2024, at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel.

A reception will be held at the Comfort Inn in Deadwood following the service.

Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com