Bobbie Maher

Roberta “Bobbie” Maher age 84 of Belle Fourche, died Tuesday May 4, 2010 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11am Friday May 7th, 2010 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Belle Fourche, with Father Tim Hoag officiating. Visitation will be held 4 to 6pm Thursday at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. A Vigil Service will be held 7pm Thursday at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. A memorial will be established. Hazel Roberta “Bobbie” Maher was born July 10, 1925 in Pierre, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Robert and Hazel (Hanson) Cunningham. Bobbie grew up on a family farm in Hughes County, south of Blunt SD with her sisters, Rose and Marjorie, and brother Mel. Her mother died when Bobbie was three, and the kids were then raised by their father. Following eight years of country school, Bobbie attended high school in Canning, where she boarded with a family during the week. After graduation she went to college at Aberdeen Normal School to become a teacher and came back to teach at Sunnyview Country school, near the family farm. Bobbie also did secretarial work for some time in Pierre for the Department of Agriculture at the State Capitol. On June 26, 1954 she was married to Robert Maher in Pierre. To this union, four children were born: James, Jay, Catherine, and Patti. Following their marriage, Bob and Bobbie ranched east of Pierre, near DeGray. In 1960 they purchased the Zoart Motel in Murdo, which they owned and operated for 30 months, and then returned to Pierre for 2 ½ years. In November of 1965 the family moved to Rapid City when the Stables Motel was purchased. Together they owned and operated this for 30 years. Bob and Bobbie were honored with the 1984 SD Innkeepers of the Year award. In 1995 they moved to Belle Fourche to manage the family –owned Hillsview Trailer Park, which they operated for several years. Bobbie’s family loved to hear her tell stories of the olden days when her Daddy would take the kids to country school in a sleigh or buggy, wrapped tightly against the cold. Or the four of them would all pile together on the horse to ride to school in good weather. The Thirties must have been pretty exciting. Sometimes there were hailstorms big enough that they were able to make ice cream with the hailstones. When they weren’t making ice cream they got to do things like knocking grasshoppers off garden plants into cans of kerosene. At the age of 70 Bobbie took up the craft of oil painting. She enjoyed painting landscapes and flower scenery. She will be remembered for her hard work, especially the many years of operating the motels. She was selfless and giving and always took care of all the motel residents very well, and provided and cared for her family at the same time. She was a devoted wife and a true partner and best friend to her husband, Bob. They worked side by side their entire married life and loved each other so much. Bobbie loved her kids and grandchildren as well, and they loved her so much as well. As a mother, Bobbie always created an environment of support, love, and care. She will be missed greatly. Bobbie is survived by her husband, Bob of Belle Fourche; sons, James (Jeannie) Maher of Belle Fourche, Jay (Rachel Slater) Maher of Minneapolis, MN; daughters, Catherine Ann (Jose) Torres of Aiken SC, Patti (Clyde) Collins of Troy, Missouri; 9 grandchidren, Katie, Rose, August, Sarah, and John Maher, Matthew, Christen, and Cassie Torres, and Bobby Collins. She is also survived by her brother, Melvin (Elaine) Cunningham of Pierre; and sisters, Rose Russell of Pierre, and Marjorie Small of Blunt, SD. DATE OF BIRTH July 10, 1925 – Pierre, South Dakota DATE OF DEATH May 4, 2010 – Rapid City, South Dakota           MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL 11:00 A.M. – Friday – May 7th, 2010 St. Paul’s Catholic Church Belle Fourche, South Dakota CELEBRANT Father Tim Hoag MUSIC String Trio– August and Sarah Maher, Maggie Sowers  “O Danny Boy”, “Lament” “Let the Circle Be Unbroken” – John Maher, pianist Pianist – Jody Sowers      Cantors–Cathy & Maggie Sowers “Amazing Grace”, “Be Not Afraid”, “On Eagles Wings” CASKETBEARERS Matthew Torres                                    Clyde Collins August Maher                                         Jack Simkins Jose Torres                                              Clark Sowers INURNMENT Pine Slope Cemetery Belle Fourche, South Dakota