Margaret Louise Aldrich

Margaret Louise Aldrich, age 92, of Colton, passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls. Memorial services will begin at 10:30 AM Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at First Lutheran Church, Colton. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment for Margaret and her husband, Alvin “Sonny” Aldrich, will follow at the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery near Sioux Falls.

Margaret was born on November 13, 1932, in Mobile, Alabama, to Charles and Venice (Cook) Wasserleben. She grew up in Alabama and graduated from Theodore High School in Theodore, Alabama. She met Alvin “Sonny” Aldrich from Hartford, South Dakota, while he was stationed in Mobile in the Air Force. They married on January 21, 1952, in Mississippi. After Sonny was discharged in 1953, they moved to Hartford area and settled on the family farm. It was here that Margaret became a farmer’s wife. She wasn’t afraid of hard work and enjoyed her life on the farm. She always had a garden and beautiful flower beds, and she loved to cook and bake for her family and visiting friends. In 1986, they moved into Colton from the farm and she started a small daycare. Sonny and Margaret bowled together for over 50 years. They both participated in men’s, women’s and mixed leagues on Berge’s Store sponsored teams. As Sonny’s health declined, Margaret took care of him until he passed away on September 1, 2011. They were married for 59 years.

Survivors include her children, Peggy (Jerry) Grode, Sioux Falls, SD; Kim Bamsey, Colton, SD; Allen (Melissa) Aldrich, Houston, TX; Margo (Dale) Stewart, Kimball, SD and Jerry (Pam) Aldrich, Sioux Falls, SD; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; sister, Peggy Fountain, and sister-in-law, Darlene Lofstedt. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Alvin “Sonny” Aldrich, brothers and their wives, Edward (Mary Catherine) Wasserleben, Robert (Mary) Wasserleben, and Fred (Hilda) Wasserleben; brother-in-law, Llavoid Fountain; and Sonny’s brothers and their wives, Keith (Jean) Aldrich, Marvin (Esther) Aldrich; and Sonny’s brother-in-law, Wally Lofstedt.