Margo Dempsey, 60, of Brookings, passed away on March 12, 2023, at the Brookings Hospital.  
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 16, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. A time of visitation will be held the evening prior, Wednesday, March 15, at Eidsness Funeral Home from 5 until 8 p.m. Although floral arrangements are appreciated, family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter.
Margo Ione Dempsey was born on July 20, 1962, to Marvin and Ethel (Braaten) Kaiser in Volga, South Dakota.  Margo grew up in Estelline, South Dakota, proudly graduating a year early from Estelline High School.  Following high school Margo was briefly married to Bob Dempsey and together they had one daughter, Jessie. After their marriage ended, Margo took over the care of her niece Kiley Kaiser and moved to Brookings where she went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree from SDSU, majoring in sociology and criminal justice.  During her time at SDSU, Margo enjoyed working at the Ag Heritage Museum on campus.
In December of 2000 Margo met Steve, the true love of her life. Not only adding a partner for life but a bonus family.
Throughout her life, Margo worked hard to provide a voice for those who did not have one.  She was a dedicated advocate for those in need, first working in the offices for Economic Assistance and Child Protective Services, and also volunteering at the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter.  It was the Domestic Abuse Shelter that captured Margo’s heart.  She worked tirelessly as the co-director, and later as the Executive director of the shelter for over 25 years.  Margo was immensely devoted to the shelter, so much so that she was still taking on call hours and leading her own support group up until the time of her passing.  She also served on the Board of Directors of BATA.
Margo held many interests throughout her life, including collecting craft materials and projects that she never quite seemed to have time to finish.  She also enjoyed refurbishing items to make them look new again.  Perhaps her greatest love in life was her family, particularly her grandchildren.
Margo is survived by: her soul mate Steve Boucher; her Mom Ethel Kaiser; brother Doug Kaiser (Sheline); sisters: Roxy Sonnenburg (Steve), Jackie Graslie, Sandy Kaiser and bonus brother Craig Blumke; daughter Jessie Huber (Shayne); grandsons: Ian Huber and Gavin Huber; niece Kiley Kaiser; bonus kids: Ashley Nelson (Brad), Nick Boucher (Emily); grand-daughters Evie Boucher, Lenzi Nelson and Makayla Boucher along with all her nieces, nephews, family members, and countless friends
She is preceded in death by: her father Marvin Kaiser, her mother-n-law Joyce Boucher, both sets of grandparents and many other loving  family and friends.