Mary A. Raysby, 74 of Tyndall

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church in Dante. Burial will be in the Trinity Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Avon.

Mary Ann Raysby, daughter of Paul Merkwan and Marie (Chernotik) was born on May 26, 1940 in Wagner SD. She passed away on October 19, 2014 at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center, surrounded by the love of her family. She attained the age of 74 year and 5 months.

Mary was baptized and confirmed at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Dante. She grew up on a farm South of Dante and attended country school and high school in Wagner.

Mary was united in marriage to Noel Raysby on November 3, 1958 in Dante. They purchased Noel's families farm south of Avon and made it their home and raised their children. Along with raising 7 children, Mary helped her husband with running the farm.  In 1986, she went back to school and earned her GED. Mary also became certified as a CNA, EMT, Med-aid, and took classes at Mount Marty college. She was always looking for ways to better herself.

In 1987, Mary started her career. She worked for the State of South Dakota, Sacred Heart Hospital, Tyndall Good  Samaritan Center, Springfield Assisted Living Center, Bon Homme School District, Pine Lanes Assisted Living Center and Home Interior Design as direct sales. Mary loved helping others, and meeting new people.

Mary loved her family very much and some of her favorite things were crocheting, knitting, baking, working in her flower gardens, listening to Polka Music, going on motorcycle rides with her husband Noel and selling Home Interior.  She enjoyed seeing and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

When Mary and Noel retired from farming in 1992 they moved to an acreage south of Tyndall. Mary continued to work until her health started to decline in 2006. Mary became a resident of the Tyndall Good Samaritan nursing home in 2008.

Mary is survived by her children, Nyla of Avon; Barbara and Mark Marty of Omaha, NE; Helen and Paul Bailey of Norfolk NE; Diane and Terry Romkema of Avon; Dale and Vickie Raysby of Springfield; Lloyd and Susan Raysby of Avon; and Kathleen and Troy Abbott of Hernando, MS; Grandchildren: Dawn (Frank) Bures, Molly Kafka, Rebecca (Chris) Julius, Raymond Romkema, Trevor, Tyler,  and Tori Bailey, Paul Raysby, Phillip (Emily) Raysby, Dylan and Trent Raysby, and Nolan Abbott. Great Grandchildren: Saydae, Lilyana and Harrison Bures; In-laws: Neil and Darlene of Geddes; Zona and Leon Robsahm  of Sioux Falls; Neva Raysby of Avon, Lois Raysby of Tyndall and Cora Raysby of Avon. Mary had no siblings but often referred to Sharon (Albert) Giedd as her Sister, who was a very special friend of hers since childhood.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Noel on May 22, 2013, parents, parents-in-law Paul and Louise Raysby and In-laws Lawrence, Gordon and Thorwald Raysby.