Margaret Mary McClain was born in Cherokee county at Cherokee, Iowa, the eighth child of Joseph Lingscheit and Catherine Detrich Lingscheit, on April 30, 1881. She died at Estherville, Iowa, on November 6, 1962, at the age of 81 years, 6 months and 6 days. She was one of fifteen children, 7 girls and 8 boys, born to this pioneer family whose father helped make history in the days of the Oregon Trail, driving with the wagon trains into the west.

The family moved to Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1901, where the opportunities for land and the big family were many. And God treated them well in this new country.

Margaret McClain was a keen student as a young woman. She graduated in the Cherokee Community Schools, and attended the University of South Dakota at Mitchell.

On Nov. 11 in 1903 she was united in marriage to Harvey Smith McClain at Parkston, S. D. To this union were born seven children: One daughter Eleanor, and six sons: Twins, Floyd and Lloyd, (Lloyd died in infancy), Herbert, Leland, Allan, and Harvey. The family lived at Parkston S. D. until 1921 when they moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa, and then to Harris in 1926. After Mr. McClain’s death in 1935 Mrs. McClain lived in Lake Park until she was unable to live alone, then lived with her children, spending several months in each home. The past four years she has resided in Balmers Nursing Home at Estherville, Iowa, where she was a bed patient.

Mrs. McClain was a member of the Presbyterian church, and very active as a teacher in Sunday schools at Spirit Lake, and when they moved to Harris she transferred her church activities to the Methodist church there, and then later to Lake Park.

She is a past Noble Grand of the Rebekah lodge at Harris, and an active member until her sickness at Lake Park. When the family lived at Parkston she was active in patriotic activities during the first World War. She is a past president of the Woman’s Relief Corps of the county. She always was interested in and helped with the county home demonstration and 4-H club work wherever she lived. She belonged to the Home Service Club at Harris and the Birthday Club at Lake Park.

A devoted Christian mother she leaves to mourn her passing, six chiIdren Eleanor Mae Harris at Cotter, Arkansas; Floyd Joseph at Lake Park; Herbert Louis and Leland Arthur at Harris; AlIan Willard at Lake Park, and Harvey Delbert at Hayward, California. There are 17 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Louise Nerland of Miller, S. D., and two brothers, Frank Lingscheit of McMinville, Oregon, and William Lingscheit of Draper, S. D., as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon, Nov. 9 at 2 o’clock in the Lake Park Methodist church, with the pastor Rev. Paul Brown officiating. A quartet composed of Mrs. Signa Myrick, Mrs. Florence Arnold, Ronald Graham and C. L. Burns sang two selections, with Mrs. C. L. Burns accompanying on the organ.

Pallbearers were Leslie Groff, Forest Learmont, Clayton Arnold, AlIen Arnold, Harold Bahl, and Harold McCauley.

The body was taken to Parkston, S. D. for interment beside her husband and son. The Leyson Funeral Home were in charge.

The Lake Park News, Thursday, November 15, 1962 — Pages 1 & 8.
Contributor: Rod Cook (48483190)