Margaret “Peggy” Van Beek, 93, formerly of Pollock, SD died August 3, 2026, in the Strasburg Care Center, Strasburg, ND. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Pollock Memorial Presbyterian Church, Pollock, SD with Pastor Floyd Haan officiating. Interment will be held in the Spring Valley Cemetery, Pollock. Visitation will be held on Monday from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM with a family service at 6:00 PM all at the church in Pollock.

Peggy was born on August 10, 1932, to Sidney and Mina (Boschker) Fetterley in Winona Bay, Emmons County, North Dakota. She grew up in the Pollock area, attended local elementary schools, and graduated from Pollock High School in 1950. After graduation, Peggy obtainedher teaching certificate attending Ellendale College one summer and taught in the area for two years.

Throughout the years, she also worked at Atkinson Grocery in old town Pollock and at the Herreid Good Samaritan Center. Peggy contributed to the local newspaper “The Prairie Pioneer” for numerous years. 

On November 23, 1953, Peggy was united in marriage to Carl Gjefle at the home of her parents, Sid and Mina. Together they made their home on the Gjefle family farm south of Pollock, where they welcomed two children, Danny Carl and Marilyn Marie. Their lives changed forever on November 2, 1959, when Carl was tragically killed in a farming accident west of Pollock. With strength and determination, Peggy continued farming while raising her young family, supported by her brothers.

On May 5, 1961, Peggy married Everett Van Beek at Pollock Memorial Presbyterian Church. They made their home on the Van Beek farm west of Pollock, where they farmed and raised beef cattle, pigs, and sheep. Their family grew with the addition of two sons, Edward Everett and Mark Sidney. Peggy kept the farm running in countless ways—driving for parts, preparing hearty meals and delivering fresh cookies to the fields. In 1993, Peggy and Everett retired from farming and moved into Pollock, where they enjoyed many happy retirement years. After Everett passed away in 2013, Peggy continued to make her home in Pollock, remaining close to her family, friends, and church community. In her later years, she lived at The Prairie Rose Assisted Living in Linton, ND, before moving to the Strasburg Care Center in Strasburg, ND. 

Peggy was a devoted member of Pollock Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she faithfully served as a deaconess, sang in the choir, and participated in WIC. Peggy's unwavering faith in God was the foundation of her life, guiding her with strength through both life's greatest joys and deepest sorrows. She was also active in The Campbell County Cancer Society, the Birthday Club, and the Craft Club.

Peggy was known for her unwavering work ethic and generous spirit. She found joy tending her beautiful flower gardens, caring for her vegetable garden, and picking apples from the trees in her yard. Some of her favorite pastimes included Saturday night pinochle at the Senior Center, reading her Bible and daily devotionals, faithfully journaling each day, sharing coffee with friends and making memories on family vacations.

Anyone who knew Peggy also knew not to interrupt her during a Minnesota Twins or Golden State Warriors game. She would gladly invite you in, but her eyes never left the television. While cheering on her favorite teams, her hands were never idle, as she lovingly embroidered dish towels, that became treasured gifts for family and friends.

Peggy never left home without a purse full of Tootsie Rolls to share with any child she met. To many, she became affectionately known as the "Tootsie Roll Grandma," bringing smiles wherever she went.

She had a remarkable gift for staying connected with those she loved. Whether through a phone call, a birthday card, or one of her handwritten letters describing the events of her day, Peggy made everyone feel remembered and loved. Those thoughtful gestures will be deeply missed.

Family gatherings were one of Peggy's greatest joys. She loved planning holiday celebrations, hosting pinochle parties, and welcoming friends for coffee and one of her famous Scotch-a-roos. Her freezer was always stocked with homemade treats, just in case unexpected company stopped by.

Above all, Peggy was her family's biggest supporter. No matter the weather or the distance, she was there for every concert, game, graduation, wedding, and milestone. If her family had an event, Peggy was going to be there. Her steadfast love, encouragement, and unwavering presence blessed generations and created a legacy that will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Thank you, Mom, for your endless love, your faithful example, and your unending devotion to our family. Your legacy of love has been instilled in all of us. We will miss you dearly until the day we meet again.

Peggy is lovingly survived by her four children: Danny (Janice) Gjefle, Marilyn (Florian) Voller, Edward (Stephanie) Van Beek, and Mark Van Beek, all of Pollock, SD; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; her brother, Gene Fetterley; her sister, Cydney (Randall) Cloud of Pollock, SD; her brother-in-law, John (Betty) Van Beek of Pollock, SD.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Carl Gjefle and Everett Van Beek; her son-in-law, Russell Haak; her great-granddaughters, Madison and Caidlyn; her great-grandson, Roman; her brothers, Ralph and Robin Fetterley; and her sister, Phyllis Fetterley.