Marian E. Giannonatti

July 24, 1936 – March 11, 2023
Celebration of Life for Marian E. Giannonatti was held Tuesday May 30th, at 1:00 pm at the Ludlow Hall.
Marian Ellen Smith Giannonatti passed away March 11th, at Southwest Healthcare in Bowman, ND. She was born at home, east of Ludlow SD on July 24, 1936 to parents Ray and Elsie (Johnson) Smith. Marian joined two older brothers Rayford and Donnie and later siblings Margaret, Jerald, Darrell, Dell, Barbara, and June would join the family. Her father died when she was 16, so Marian spent her time helping raise her siblings and working on the family ranch.
Marian was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. She attended Norbeck Country School for 1st-8th grade, was a 1954 graduate of Buffalo High School, and attended Rapid City Business School. Marian then worked for Donn Bennett after graduation, she also worked at the Bowman Livestock Sale Yard for Bob Penfield.
Marian was united in marriage with Francie (Fred) Giannonatti on December 25, 1955 at the Emanuel Lutheran Church. Marian and Francie lived in England for the remainder of Fred’s Service tour. They then came back and lived at the Vern Hungerford place until they moved to their current ranch (the former Andrew Giannonatti place). They would welcome daughter Deb in 1959 and son Lane in 1961.
Marian was the true definition of a ranch wife. She milked cows by hand, lambed, calved, farrowed, mowed, swathed, raked and bucked hay. She was also a wonderful cook, and many meals with numerous people were shared at her table. She was very active in helping plan meals for numerous community events. It was often said she could make a sandwich taste like a gourmet meal. Marian made thousands of cookies over the years with the number one favorite being her special chocolate chip cookies. While being a wonderful ranch wife, mom, and grandma; Marian also made time for a very large garden which always got lots of compliments from visitors. Her green thumb was never ending with her rows and pots of beautiful flowers which she thoroughly enjoyed.
She was also an excellent bookkeeper and organizer. She instilled great bookkeeping skills in her grandkids. Three days before her passing, she informed her kids “you know my March Social Security check needs to go back!” She was always on top of bookwork and kept business running smoothly.
Marian was a very optimistic person and while in the hospital she said (as Deb and Lane were freezing) “You know one good thing since I have been in the hospital is that I haven’t been cold!” She saw the good in everyone and her motto was if you don’t have something good to say-say nothing at all! Marian lived life to the fullest and had a plaque in her house that she followed until the very end “Let Your Life Speak!”
Marian is survived by son Lane (Ludlow) and daughter Deb and son-in-law Dale Turbiville (Buffalo), 3 grandkids: Spring (Kelly) Padden, Chance (Ryanna) Turbiville, and Trent (Sydney) Turbiville, 9 great-grandkids: Kaylen Padden, Sylvia Turbiville, Sofia Turbiville, Kaydy Padden, Denton Turbiville, Dempsey Turbiville, Ridley Turbiville, Giavana Turbiville, and Graylee Turbiville, 1 sister June Smith, 3 sisters-in-law: Dixie Smith, Myrna Wagner and Fern Giannonatti, 2 brothers-in-law: Dale Robinson and Dean Wagner, Nieces: Kathy Schaack, Bev Bouldin, Kelli Robinson, Brenda Frieze, Net Slaba, Nephews: Mike Smith, Kevin Robinson, Kirk Robinson, Tim Smith, Ray Smith, Allen Smith, and Brian Sarsland, and numerous other cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Francie; great-grandson Janson Turbiville; parents Ray and Elsie Smith; brothers Rayford, Donnie (Midge), Jerald, Darrell, and Dell; sisters: Margaret Robinson, Barb (Bill) Sarsland, her in-laws Fred and Ann Giannonatti, brother-in-law: Ronnie Giannonatti, sister-in-law: Mabel Giannonatti, nephew: Scot Giannonatti, niece: Tammy Smith.
Suggested memorial donations to the Ludlow Hall, Ludlow Volunteer Fire Department or charity of your choice.
Arrangements were taken care of by Krebsbach & Kulseth Funeral Services of Bowman, ND.