Ethel Margaret "Peg" James

Age 93, formerly of Brookings, SD passed on 9/5/25 to join Ken, her husband for 65 years. Peg leaves daughters, Susan Jacobsen (Scott) and Lori James (Kirsten Obermeyer), Susan Sandburg (sister), and numerous nieces and nephews. Peg and her sister, Susan Caroline, were born in Atlanta GA and later moved to Chicago to live with her mom’s siblings. As a young adult she volunteered at the Chicago USO where she met Ken James who was on leave from the Army. They married in 1954 and moved to Ken’s farm in Brookings, SD. In addition to helping on the farm, she worked in a variety of office positions at SDSU, Brookings Register, UNISYS (Sioux Falls office) and Midwest Glass. Peg was one of the first Head Start Teachers in South Dakota and taught in Flandreau. For many years, Peg was elected to be a county supervisor for the Brookings County Conservation District. Peg and Ken were active in their community; teaching Sunday School at the United Methodist Church, Adult leaders for 4H, Job’s Daughters and served as Worthy Matron and Patron of Eastern Star South Dakota Chapter #15. Peg raised and showed Scottish Terriers in conformation and was a member of the Sioux Empire Kennel Club and the Scottish Terrier Club of America. Peg and Ken were avid SDSU Jackrabbit fans, attending and streaming games. In their later years, Peg helped Ken with real estate tasks as he worked for Elite Realty until they moved to St Paul Park, Minnesota to be closer to their family. After a few years in St Paul Park, they lived together at Boutwells Landing, in Oak Park Heights, MN. Ken passed in 2020 and Peg spent the remainder of her life building relationships with residents and staff at Boutwells.

A Memorial Service will be held on 9/12/25 at 10:00 in the Town Hall at Boutwells Landing friends may visit 1 hour prior. A private burial will be in Mission Hills, SD.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Boutwells Landing Foundations online at: preshomes.org/give Attn: Peg