STURGIS, SD – Listening to long-time broadcaster Marguerite Kleven describe what she thought of as a ‘pioneer,’ is like listening to her describe herself – although she wouldn’t think so; “adventurous, brave, hardy, an enterprising spirit.”
She passed away recently at the age of 91. Among her many and varied interests, (including as a former co-owner of KBHB Radio) was a passion for the creation of the High Plains Western Heritage Center, a museum encompassing the history of ranching, mining, logging, farming, transportation and more from a five-state region. At its vantage point, high on a hill outside of Spearfish, SD, one can stand outside of the 20,000 square foot building and actually see all five states; Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.
The Center’s first executive director, and a colleague of Marguerite’s, Kay Jorgenson recalls.
“I first met Marguerite when I was the executive director of the High Plains Western Heritage Center. Les and Marguerite were doing a fundraising radio broadcast for the Center. I had never heard of such a thing. That was my first experience of who they were and what a force they were in the radio medium.”
Marguerite herself talked of that time in the mid to late 1970s and the founders of the High Plains Western Heritage Center, Ed (Slim) Gardner and Harry Blair. The concept was in place and the idea for such a facility to house what she said the founders considered to be a “disappearing history,” was popular. But it needed a little ‘oomph’ to get it off the ground.
She recalled what would turn into a two-day fundraising radio marathon that would prove to be the springboard for the project to move forward. She called it “heartwarming” and “a “chance to participate in preserving the history of the region.
“It was the largest undertaking we had done up to that point and an amazing goal at that time. If you compared the value of the $140,000-$150,000 raised from that time to now, I imagine it would be over a million dollars. And it happened with $5 donations and larger.”
As a volunteer and board member for many organizations and projects, she brought the same skill set to her time in politics, says Jorgenson. Her husband Les had passed away in 1995, and at the time was serving in the South Dakota Senate. After his death, Marguerite replaced him and served until 2005.
“I got to know Marguerite more when she came to Pierre as a Senator,” said Jorgenson. “As legislators, we worked together professionally and politically on issues that brought dollars and attention to western South Dakota. It was always a pleasure working with her. “
Jorgenson credits Marguerite’s influence in so many areas to her being her own person. “She was clear with what she thought. You didn’t have to guess. She was strong and determined and above all, she was detailed. You didn’t have to wonder how she was going to go about getting something done. That’s the Marguerite I knew.”
Chris Kaitfors, a marketing representative at KBHB for many years, witnessed those attributes at work as well. “I think being a team player was important to Marguerite. She liked to see everyone working together towards a common end. I believe she was a sounding board for new ideas and truly one of the first pioneers in radio in the state of South Dakota.”
But it wasn’t all ‘nose to the grindstone,’ recalls Chris.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the KBHB parties that Marguerite and Les hosted over the years. Their Christmas parties were the best I ever attended. They would go all out, with Marguerite preparing a prime rib for the staff, and Les as the bartender. She was always the most accommodating hostess, putting up with a variety of shenanigans at those parties, but always with a smile and never a complaint. Marguerite would sit down at her piano late in the evening and sing Christmas carols. I remember sitting by her one night on the piano bench singing along. Such great memories.
“She was an impressive woman; a pioneer in the radio business, a community leader, a mentor and a friend. I will miss her.”
