Peggy B. Elkins

Beryl Peggy Elkins, 87, of Elk Point died March 24, 2013, at Sanford Medical Center in Vermillion, S.D., after living a long and interesting life surrounded by the family that she loved.
Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Riverside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Ed Ward officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. today, with the family present at 6 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Berkemier Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Born on July 12, 1925, in Bedford, England, to Harry and Grace Evelyn Southby, Beryl Peggy Grace Southby attended school at Sir Harper Trust in Bedford, until the age of 14 when World War II broke out in London. The school was forced to close and all the children went to work at the chocolate factory, which later became an ammunition and aircraft factory.
In 1945, Peggy married Darrell Elkins of Sioux City, who was serving in the U.S. Air Corps stationed in Bedford, England. After the war, Darrell returned to the United States, and in 1946, Peggy came over with her infant son, Darrell, on the Queen Mary, landing in New York at Ellis Island. Peggy and Darrell lived in Sioux City where Peggy became a United States citizen on July 21, 1950. Over the years, Peggy enjoyed speaking to area schools about life in England.
Peggy and Darrell raised their family for many years at McCook Lake, S.D., where Darrell and his father, Lloyd Elkins, built a home on the lake. In 1966, Darrell and Peggy moved to a farm in Jefferson, S.D., where Peggy lived until 1998. Several years after Darrell died, Peggy moved to a new home in Elk Point.
While Peggy’s great joy in life was raising her five children as a mother and homemaker, she also worked at J.C. Penney, Morey's and Raymond's, and Terra Industries in Sioux City. Peggy retired from Terra in 1996 to care for her husband, Darrell who died that year.
In 2000, Peggy was nominated for Woman of the Year in Sioux City for her volunteer activities and as a tribute to her life.
Peggy was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the American Legion and served as president for several years. She belonged to the Siouxland Center for Active Generations, volunteering every Friday for many years. Peggy belonged to Riverside Lutheran Church, where she was a member of church circle. In the past, she belonged to the Red Hat Society and to Dudes and Dolls Square Dance Club. She served as a hospice volunteer for several years.
Peggy’s proudest accomplishment in life was her five children. She was never happier than when surrounded by the family she loved, including her 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and her beloved dachshund, Heidi. Peggy was fond of traveling, reading, knitting and serving tea to a host of friends.
Peggy is survived by her sons, Darrell (Jean) Elkins of Elk Point, and John (Carol) Elkins of Sioux Falls, S.D.; daughters, Darlene (Dan) Olson of McCook Lake, Janice (Larry) DeBuhr of Canton, S.D., and Sheryl and her special friend, Gale Ferdig of Elk Point; 13 grandchildren, Brian, Scott, Aaron, Ann, Alex, Brody, Cassie and Collin Elkins, David and Jon Schuetz, Melanie Sondgeroth, Laurie and Travis DeBuhr; 19 great-grandchildren; along with very special friends, Sis Elkins and Ray Keuck. Peggy had special family in England among them her niece, Linda Owen and nephew, Michael Southby and their families.
Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell Elkins; and brother, Harry E. Southby.
Memorials for Peggy Elkins may be given to Riverside Lutheran Church in Sioux City.