Mary M. Keyser

Mary Magdaline Wolf was born March 17, 1920, in Dickinson, North Dakota, the daughter of Fredrick and Emma (Bazler) Wolf.

As a young girl, she grew up in Beulah, North Dakota. In 1933, the family moved with a wagon team and Model T from Beulah to Conata, South Dakota. Later, the family moved to Quinn where Mary attended 7th and 8th grade. She then moved to Hilland to work as a clerk in the Hilland Store. This is where she met her husband, Dale Keyser.

They were united in marriage July 13, 1938 in Custer, South Dakota.

They made their home on the Keyser family ranch on Ash Creek. In 1944 Mary was baptized at the Dowling Community Church and she rededicated her life to the Lord in 1953. During their years on the ranch, Mary spent a lot of time milking, haying, and raising four children.

In January 2000, Mary and Dale moved into Wall where they have since resided.

Mary enjoyed gardening, quilting, fishing, and was an avid sports fan, especially enjoying softball as a young woman. She cherished the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary wrote the Northwest Corner News in the local paper for many years.

Mary was a former member of the Dowling Community Church, and the Ladies Aide of Hilland. She was also a former member of the Philip Senior Citizens, United Methodist Women, Wall Senior Citizens, and a current member of the United Methodist Church of Wall.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband Dale Keyser of Wall; two sons, Gary Keyser and his wife Ruby, of Wall, and Kirby Keyser of Wall; a daughter, Pam Blakesley and her husband Gene of Amboy, Minnesota; eight grandchildren, Debbie Hapney, Michael O’Dea, Janae Hagberg, Justin Keyser, Stacy Huether, Tyler Keyser, LaLainya Rennpferd, and Merinda Hanson; three step-grandchildren, Kent Patterson, Mark Patterson, and Dawn Nagel; nineteen great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Benny Wolf and his wife LaRue of Sacramento, California, and Andy Wolf and his wife Rose of Beulah, North Dakota; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by a daughter Marlene O’Dea; a granddaughter, Tina Marie O’Dea; her parents; six brothers, August, Reuben, Emil, Joe, Mike, and Fred Wolf; three sisters, Lizzie Boeckel, Helen Schlecht, and an infant sister Ruth Wolf.

Visitation was held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June21, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall and one hour preceding the services at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services were 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at the United Methodist Church in Wall with Pastor Gary Geiman officiating.

Interment was 1:00 p.m. Saturday, at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

MINISTER
Pastor Gary Geiman

MUSIC
Carol Hahn – Organist
Tom Carmichael - Vocalist
United Methodist Choir
Congregational Hymns

USHERS
Rod Renner - Bill Leonard
Dick Kjerstad - Lynn Denke - Richard Hauk

PALLBEARERS
Tyler Keyser - Justin Keyser
Michael O'Dea - Wyatt Hanson
Randy Hapney - Marty Huether
Daniel Hagberg - Dave Rennpferd

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Saturday, June 22, 2002 1:00 P.M.
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Service Details

Funeral Services
10:00 a.m.
Saturday, June 22, 2002
United Methodist Church in Wall