Marjorie Mccallum

Marjorie Alene McCallum died on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at the Pipestone County Hospice House.

Marjorie Alene McCallum was born on November 1, 1925 to Maurice and Alene (Wallace) Diehl in Mitchell, South Dakota. She had two older brothers, Val and Wally. She completed her high school education in Mitchell and was united in marriage to John McCallum before he went overseas to serve in World War II. Their union would be blessed with three children, John Jr., Alene “Lynn”, and Mark. Following John Sr.’s return from war, the family lived in Golden Valley, Minnesota for a short time and then moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. Due to John’s occupation, the family moved to Huron, South Dakota, so Marjorie once again found herself packing her family belongings and moving back to South Dakota.

It wasn’t too many years after their move, that new opportunities brought the family to Marshall, Minnesota, where they eventually saw the opportunity to start M&M, a farm and home store in Pipestone, Minnesota in 1956. Marjorie kept herself busy, helping to do the bookwork in the office while continuing to keep the house and raising their children. She was an excellent cook and loved to find new recipes and kept volumes of delicious dishes and desserts she wanted to try. She grew up in an era when hospitality and good conversation melded friendships and forged relationships. The family home became one of the focal points for family and friends, being a place for swimming, BBQs, and holiday celebrations. In the spring of 2017, Marj moved into Ridge View Estates and resided there. She made many friends and was well cared for by their staff.

She was a lover of nature and an avid bird-watcher. Marjorie was a member of the Eden Garden Club and among her favorite house plants were orchids and angel wing begonias. She loved keeping up on all the latest news, had a deep appreciation of history, and was a member of Historic Pipestone Inc. She was also an avid reader; books and magazines were always all around in her home.

Marjorie and John both loved to play golf and were members of the Pipestone Country Club. When they retired, they had a winter home at the Palm Springs Country Club in California. Marjorie also took lessons in painting and did a number of beautiful paintings of her grandchildren and other subjects. One of her many talents was sewing and seamstress work. She even made the wedding dress for her daughter-in-law, Jean.

She was an active member of the St. Paul Episcopal Church until its closing and then became a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone. Marjorie attended many bible studies and was a deacon. Her faith was important to her.

Marjorie will be greatly missed by her children, John (Jean) McCallum of Pipestone, Lynn Lopau of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Mark (Dawn) McCallum of Tyler, Minnesota; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Sr.; her parents; and her brothers, Val and Wally.

Blessed be her memory!