Marguerite “Margie” Washnok

Marguerite “Margie” Ann Washnok, 68, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Sunday, October 16, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD.

Marguerite “Margie” Ann Barondeau was born August 15, 1954, to Lewis A. and Clara J. (Deis) Barondeau at St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD. She graduated from Conde High School. Accademia was a true passion of Margie’s; she first graduated from Jamestown College, receiving her BA in Nursing in 1976. She received her Masters’ Degrees in Community Health and Education from Texas Women’s University in 1984, finally graduating with her doctorate in Nursing Practice from Case Western Reserve University in 1998.

Margie was united in marriage to her lifelong sweetheart, Dale Eugene Washnok, on June 12, 1976, at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Conde, SD. They welcomed two children into their family, Rebecca and James. Together they made their home in Stratford, SD, moving to Groton, SD, in 1988, and finally to Aberdeen in 2007.

Margie dedicated her life to the nursing field, accruing over 40 years of nursing experience and more than 35 years as a nurse educator. She directly impacted the education of over 5,000 nursing students, serving as an integral part of developing nursing programs at Presentation College. Over her career, Margie was honored with numerous professional accolades; most notably: 2012 SDNA & NEDDS Outstanding Nurse Educator, three-time SDNA District Nurse of the year, and served as President of the South Dakota Nurses Association in both 2015 and 2019.

In her free time, Margie enjoyed traveling with Dale and their English Lab, Lexie, camping with family and friends, gardening, and riding with Dale on their motorcycle. She also found great joy in service to her community. She was active in the Brown County Red Cross, attending mass and serving as a eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, teaching CCD classes, and helping with various fundraisers for an array of community causes. Margie carried many titles over the years, but her most cherished was that of Grandmother; her grandchildren, Jett and Whitley, were the light of her life. She loved having them next door for all of the impromptu backyard playdates and front porch sits.

Margie will be missed by her beloved husband of 46 years, Dale Washnok of Aberdeen, SD; her children: Rebecca (Jake) Collins of Tea, SD, and James (Katie) Washnok of Aberdeen, SD; two grandchildren: Jett and Whitley Washnok; siblings: Lewis (Candy) Barondeau of Lutherville, MD, Dwain (Judy) Barondeau of Bismarck, ND, and Rosemary Sanderson of Conde, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

Margie was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Lynn Sanderson.