Peggy E. R. Redding, 91, longtime Sawyer resident, passed away peacefully Friday, January 27, 2017 in a Minot Hospital.

Peggy was born December 8, 1925, at Kenmare, ND, the daughter of Reverend A. J. "Bill" and Lena Bella (Stewart) Brunett. She was named Elenora Rachel Brunett, but from her very early childhood, she was called Peggy. She and her family moved to Benedict, ND at a young age and then moved to Sawyer when she was 15 years old. She graduated from Sawyer High School in 1943 and lived and worked for a short time in Salt Lake City and Chicago.

Peggy was united in marriage to Raymond W. Redding on April 1, 1945 (Easter Sunday) in Seattle, Washington, at her half-brother's home. After the war, Ray and Peggy moved back to the Sawyer area, where they lived out their lives. Along with raising their family of six children, they enjoyed entertaining the locals with their popular country and western harmonies in a variety of venues, including radio and television.

In 1972, she legally changed her name to Peggy, the name that she had been called since childhood, and kept the initials of her birth name, becoming Peggy E. R. Redding.

Peggy was employed with the United States Postal Service for 20 years. She held many positions at the Post Office, but her favorite by far was working the window helping "her customers" at the Minot Post Office. She retired in 1988 when Ray became sick. Ray, the love of her life, passed away on August 27th, 1988.

Peggy and Marie (Hovda) Casey travelled extensively together on bus tours for several years after that, and they enjoyed these "getaways" immensely.

Peggy was a lifetime member of the Sawyer Church of the Nazarene, where she played piano for many, many years. She touched the lives of many with her music ministry playing for scores of funerals, weddings and other community events throughout the years.

Her hobbies and interests over the years included travelling, Bingo, Casinos (especially the slots and pull tabs), Wheeler Dealer, singing bass with the Sweet Adelines, square dancing, television, and visiting with friends and family. Listening to her children gathered at her home, bickering about who gets the most of her signature dishes brought her great joy, as did accompanying the family guitars with her piano and singing for hours on end. Visits over coffee and playing the piano were lifelong hobbies of Peggy's. She was also very involved in everything Sawyer including School Reunion committees, working election polls, and other community happenings.

Peggy is survived by her six children, Jacky Rae (Rodney) Morris, Garrison, ND, Bruce (Judith) Redding, Mobridge, SD, Barbara "Bobbie" Everson and companion, Bob Bohlender, Ada, MN, Steve (Mary) Redding, Bismarck, ND, Christie (Melvin) Broughman, Portage, IN and Scot (Patti) Redding, Burlington, ND; grandchildren: Stuart, Lenore, Jeff, and Peggy Ann, (Jacky); Jody and Ginger (Bruce); Dawn, Darin, Dina, and Dallas (Bobbie); Danni, Eric, Mony, and Spencer, (Steve); Sarah, Challen, Andrew and Rachel, (Christie); Samantha, Cord, Grace, and Olivia, (Scot); great grandchildren: Bret and Quintin, (Stuart); Nick and Jacob, (Lenore); Josh and Jamey, (Jeff); Cameron and Carson, (Jody); Daniel, Charlie, Evie, Becca, Zach, and Amelia, (Ginger); Jared, Taylor, and Taryn, (Darin); Alexis, Abigail, Audrey, Ava, and Anson, (Dina); Malaya and Indra, (Danni); Lyric and Jazz, (Eric); Cook, Ama, and Rowan, (Mony); Satori and Demira, (Spencer); Braedon, (Challen); Rosa and Evelyn, (Sarah) and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 43 years, Raymond; half-brother, Jack DuMars, and great granddaughter, Chelsea Renee Kragh.

Celebration of Life service : Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sawyer School Auditorium.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, following a period of fellowship at the school.
Visitation: Friday, February 3rd from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to: Sawyer Senior Citizens and Sawyer Church of The Nazarene.