Peggy Symonds, 73 of Sundance, Wyoming passed away at her home, Saturday, April 16, 2016.
Peggy Rose Maupin Symonds was born to Tom and Christine Maupin on July 19, 1942 at Eagle Butte, SD. The family ranched 18 miles south of Eagle Butte. Peggy attended 1st-3rd grade at Albee School. During the first grade, Peggy stayed with the teacher Phylis Seaman at the school Monday through Friday. The teacherage was a small room at the back of the school made by stretching a tarp across the room. When Peggy was in the 4th grade, she and her brother Bogie went to school in her parents bunk house. Maupins' boarded the teacher. Peggy went to 5th grade in Eagle Butte, staying with Gramma Maupin.
The family moved to Alzada, MT in 1952. The family ranch was just across the state line in Crook County. Moving from the South Dakota prairie to the timber and the river was like paradise. Peggy and Bogie went to the Robinson School for two years and the Antelope Gulch School Peggy's 8th grade. Peggy and Bogie rode horse back to school and broncs were all they had to ride. Their dad drug an old ice house to the school for a barn. Peggy spent her time doing ranch work and breaking horses for her dad and the neighbors. While attending high school in Belle Fourche, SD Peggy participated in high school rodeo and qualified for state and national high school rodeo her sophomore and junior years in breakaway roping. She also barrel raced and pole bended. She was a 4-H member in the Silver Spur 4-H Club.
Peggy met her future husband at Gene Brimmer's Alzada Rodeo. The couple married on June 29, 1959 in Sturgis, SD. The young couple worked on various ranches around the area, broke horses and started teams for several ranchers. Tom and Peggy knew the experience of no electricity, no running water and no indoor plumbing. She always thought those were less stressful times and appreciated having the conveniences when they moved to a location where they were available. Peggy got her first washer and dryer in 1975 and wash day was so easy and so much fun.
The family moved to Newell, SD in 1972 where they purchased a small place. They had three children by this time. Symonds raised registered Hereford cattle, had a small dairy, ran a few sheep and again broke horses for themselves and neighbors. The family was involved in the Newell Saddle Club and 4-H. Peggy had become a South Dakota 4-H leader in 1967 when their oldest daughter joined 4-H.
In 1978 with the help of family and friends, Tom and Peggy started the Maupin Memorial Youth Rodeo in memory of Peggy's parents. The rodeo was held in Hulett, WY the first two years and was later moved to Sundance, WY. For 17 years, Maupin Rodeo was one of the most successful youth rodeos in the tri-state area.
The family moved to Sundance, WY in 1984. By this time the family had grown to five children. Peggy worked at North Pole Locker for two years. She went to work for Crook County in 1987 as Custodian at the C. C. Court House. In 2001 she accepted the job as 4-H Program Associate for Crook County. She retired on November 1, 2011. Peggy remained an active 4-H leader after retirement. After retirement, Peggy joined the Inyan Kara Homemakers, the Crook County Historical Society and Crook County Cattlewomen. After two years of very enjoyable retirement, Peggy went to work at the Sundance Kids Children's Center where she was affectionately known as Gramma Peggy.
Peggy enjoyed going to school and 4-H events with their children. Symonds' loved camping, fishing and spending time with family. Peggy enjoyed working in her yard, garden and spending time sitting on her deck watching the birds and squirrels that were plentiful in the yard year around.
Peggy is survived by her husband and best friend of 57 years, Tom Symonds, Sundance WY, her children, Rose (Bill) Bucholz, Vale SD; TJ (Jana) Symonds, Tonasket WA; Marty (Lisa) Symonds, Sturgis, SD; Jamie (Johnnie) Rogers, Checotah, OK; Cliff (Andee) Symonds, Mitchell, NE; Son and special friend Bill Elwood of Platteville, CO, her brothers, Jim Maupin, Hulett, WY and Baine (Bobbie) Maupin, Camp Crook, SD, her grandchildren; Joni (Kolbe) Gravatt, Tami (Nick) Rosser, Cori (Russ) Schone, Hamley Symonds, Billie Jo (Zande) Waddington, John Symonds, Kassidy Symonds, Marcy Harris, Brandi (Andrew) Lohrenz, Justin Symonds, Matessa Jorgensen, Brayden Jorgensen, Brayce Jorgensen, Trevor (Alexis) Jorgensen, Katy (Del) Durossette, Michelle Rogers, Justin Rogers, Ryan Shell, River Shell, Matt Symonds, Oran Symonds, Clancey Symonds, Danny (April Reis) Elwood and Kelli (Tim) Harris and 20 great-grandchildren.
Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Thurmon McKinney and Bogie Maupin, a baby sister, infant son, Jeffery Allan Symonds and grandson Shawn Gillespie.
A memorial has been established in lieu of flowers, in Peggy's memory.
Memorial services will be held at 2pm, Thursday, April 21, 2016 at the Old High School Gymnasium in Sundance, a luncheon will follow at the Crook County Courthouse Basement.
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance, WY.
Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com