Marie Farrier

Marie Farrier, 97, of O'Neill, died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 at Country Lane Retirement Village in O'Neill.

Graveside services will be held at a later date in the Chambers Cemetery in Chambers.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation. 

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of the arrangements.

Marie Gibson was born on Dec. 9, 1927 to Lloyd and Winnie (McClenahan) Gibson in Flint, MI. She grew up on a farm near Chambers and graduated from Chambers High School as salutatorian in 1945. She attended Wayne State Teachers College to receive her teaching certificate. She taught rural schools in Holt County for two years.

On April 26, 1946 she was united in marriage to Merle Max Farrier in O'Neill, while he was home on leave from overseas duty in Korea. They became the parents of three children Kathy, Joan and Jim.

Later they farmed and ranched in Holt County, then moved to O'Neill where Max worked for the Outlaw Store and Marie was a 4-H leader and Sunday School teacher.  

In 1967 they moved to Deadwood, SD where they were partners in Circle Foods and Marie went to work in the Lawrence County Assessor's Office for 12 years, where she earned the SD Assessor- Appraiser Certification.  She then ran and won the Lawrence County Treasurer's office where she served for 20 years. She also served as Deadwood City Commissioner and was a licensed appraiser on the weekends for over 20 years.

After retirement she worked part time for the Deadwood Chambers of Commerce, served on the Deadwood Planning and Zoning Board, the Lead-Deadwood Hospital Foundation Board and served as president of the Lead-Deadwood Republican Women.

She was a volunteer for the Days of 76' for many years. She loved being a parent, grandparent and great-grandparent. She taught her grandchildren to ski and spent many happy times with them.

Marie is survived by her daughter Kathy (Jerry) Schmitz; her eight grandchildren Lori Carr, Matt Schmitz, Toby Pearson, Katie Burnham, Tyler Pearson, Lisa Farrier Fortner, Jessica Farrier and Justin Farrier; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Joan Pearson, son Jim Farrier, parents Lloyd and Winnie Gibson and brother Don Gibson.