Leona Morgan Dryden, age 95, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great-Great Grandma ONA and all-around Great Aunt to 50 + nieces & nephews, passed away August 2, 2024.
She was born March 12,1929 to Harley & Leota Morgan near Midland, SD. There were twelve children in the family which included two sets of twins. Leona was #11. She attended a one room grade school at Markwed School, two years at Midland High School and graduated in 1948 from Oelrichs High School. Last year she was honored as a 75-year alumni.
Ted & Leona were married June 6, 1948 and lived and raised their family on his parents (Ralph & Alta Dryden’s) ranch. They had 61+ years together before Ted passed in 2010.
Leona was a full-time wife & mother until her last child started to school. In the 70’s she worked at the Coast to Coast and the Fall River County Auditor’s office in Hot Springs. She worked at the Oelrichs post office & was the school cook in Oelrichs for many years. She loved to cook & bake as the family was growing up they all remembered her “homemade dinner rolls”. She made most of her daughter’s clothing and cheerleading outfits, attended Dick’s ball games & through the years attended many of the grandkids & great-grandchildren’s activities & was still climbing the bleachers at 90 to watch Dylan’s basketball games.
She was a member of the Prairie View United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. Served on many committees in PTA, Extension Club, Dryden township, school board, cemetery association board, church boards and taught Sunday school & Vacation Bible School.
She enjoyed bowling, playing pitch, tole painting and making plastic canvas crafts. She didn’t miss a Jeopardy episode and would send individually personalized recycled birthday cards to her family and friends. She did not miss a birthday.
Survivors include her daughter Ruth (Kenny) Pourier, Oelrichs and son Dick (Rose)Dryden, Oelrichs, Nine grandchildren: Ken Bowker, Hot Springs, Kevin Bowker, Sioux Falls, SD, Amy (Mandi) Pourier, Rapid City, SD, Angela (Sam) Pourier, Box Elder, SD, Jessica (Randy) Hamar, Oelrichs, Lisa (Bill) Dryden, Hill City, SD, Allen Dryden, FT Campbell, KY, , Daniel Eberle, Oelrichs, Jobie (Alisha) Dryden, Hot Springs.
Nine great-grandchildren: Samantha (Danny) Bowker, Hot Springs, Kelsey (Matthew) Pearcy, FT Johnson, LA, Boone (Brittney) Bowker, Thermopolis, WY, Kylee (Adam) Pourier, Phoenix, AZ, Elyjah ( Kennedy) Dryden, Box Elder, SD and Dylan (Dakota) Pourier, Rapid City, SD, Hadley, Bexley & Blakely Dryden, Hot Springs, SD and several step grandchildren.
Seven Great-Great grandchildren: Acey & Paisley Pearcy, Journey Bashaw, Kinlee Morrisette, Halyn, Nash & Tytus Bowker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, her daughters, Judy Bowker, Gail Eberle, grandson, Nathaniel Dryden, son-in-law, Steve Bowker, Grandson-in-law, Blue Annis, her parents, in-laws and all her brothers & sisters and numerous nieces & nephews.
Family has always meant so much to her. She looked forward to the Morgan & Dryden reunions and loves to let everyone know she has 5 generations in her family. She was always thanking God for all her many blessings. Memorials to either Oelrichs Cemetery or Prairie View United Methodist Church.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Prairie View United Methodist Church, 28309 Sunny Brook Road in Smithwick, SD. Refreshments immediately following. Interment will be at a later date.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD.