Marjorie Ann Pershy, 88, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, at Sunnyside Care Center in Lake Park, MN. Marge was born on June 10, 1937, on the Rykowsky family farmstead north of Belfield. They later relocated a few miles south, where Marge grew up with her four siblings, Bill (Shirley), Richard (Eileen), John Jr. (Betty), and Loretta (Phillip) Stewart.

After graduating high school, Marge attended business college in Bismarck for two years, where she studied business administration. Over the years, she held many different jobs and lived life with a sense of adventure and independence that reflected exactly who she was. She worked as a circulation manager for The Dickinson Press, before later marrying Charles W Pershy on June 21st, 1968. They resided in Great Falls and Helena, MT before settling in Dickinson, ND, where they later had daughter, Kristin.

Marge was truly a free spirit. She dealt blackjack for the Elks and German Hungarian Club and eventually ended her career driving special education school bus for the Dickinson School District — work she deeply loved because of the relationships she developed with the children she watched grow up, over the years.

Raised Catholic, she remained strong in her faith throughout her life. In her later years, she became dear friends with the Monsignor in Detroit Lakes, as well as her close friend Nora, who faithfully brought her communion while she lived at Sunnyside, the last four and a half years of her life.

People will often remember her sense of humor, love of laughter, and a mischievous nature for playing pranks, as well as her ability to tell stories. Just saying the word “Bingo” was also enough to wake her up out of a deep sleep. This allowed her to express her love language of giving gifts from the prizes she often won. Marge loved hard throughout her life and left lasting impressions on the people fortunate enough to know her.

Marge is survived by her only child, her daughter Kristin “Frankie” Frank; her grandson, Logan Frank; her sister, Loretta Stewart and husband Phillip, and one brother, John Rykowsky Jr. and wife Betty. She is also lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews, who were so dear to her, as well as the staff and residents at Sunnyside Care Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Catherine (Custer) Rykowsky, brothers, William (Bill) and wife Shirley, and Richard and wife Eileen, and one great-nephew, John David.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always. A celebration of life will be held later this summer.