Born Mary Dorothy Zimmerman to Harriett LaRoche of the Yankton Sioux Tribe and Louis Zimmerman of the Santee Sioux Tribe.  She gave life to six children: Jerry Bates of Omaha, NE, Marilyn Morris of Las Vegas, Michael Bates (deceased), Terrill Muller of New Mexico, Nola Roller of Los Angeles, CA, and Bill Roller of Marty. All but Michael survive her including numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

As a senior she lived independently at Grey Eagle Lodge in Wagner, South Dakota. Though in her final years she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where her daughter Marilyn and her daughter Shannon cared for her.

On December 6, 2023 she passed away peacefully in her sleep with family by her side.  Mary was an amazingly strong woman and lived her life to the fullest. She was kind, generous, loyal, and had a great sense of humor. She brought great joy to her family and will be deeply missed.

Visitation and wake services for Mary will be held at the  Marty Community Center in Marty, South Dakota on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 12 and 13, 2023 beginning at 7:00 p.m. She will be laid to rest in Greenwood, South Dakota with her mother and grandmother on the Yankton Sioux Reservation.