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Mary Pekron: 1932-2012

Mary Pekron, age 80, of Philip, SD, died Oct. 10, 2012, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Mary A. Gottsleben was born Jan. 18, 1932, in Philip, SD, the daughter of William and Helen (Gehan) Gottsleben. She grew up on a farm-ranch northwest of Philip, and attended the Deadman Rural School in that area. She attended high school at St. Martin’s Academy in Sturgis, graduating in 1951. She then attended Black Hills State College in Spearfish, where she obtained her teaching certificate. She taught rural school at the Jones Rural School for three years and one year at the Malone Rural School near Milesville. Once their children were in school, she returned to teaching, served as a substitute teacher and teacher’s aide for numerous years.

Mary was united in marriage to Henry “Hank” Pekron on Aug. 28, 1954, in Philip. They made their home in the Milesville area, where they worked on a ranch and later purchased their own ranch. They continued to ranch for over 50 years. Due to health reasons, they moved into Philip in October of 2007.

Her husband Henry “Hank” Pekron preceded her in death on Aug. 27, 2010. Mary continued to reside in Philip until her death.

Mary was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Philip, and a former member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Altar Society of Milesville.

Survivors include six children Nancy Ehrhardt and her husband Rick of Brandon, Steve Pekron and his wife Nina of Milesville, Beth Walker of Gillette, WY, Karen Kroetch and her husband Jerry of Philip, Theresa Pekron of Westminster, CO, and Joe Pekron and his wife Julie of Hot Springs; 13 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one sister Ann Pattno and her husband Tom of Hastings, NE; a sister-in-law Myrna Gottsleben of Philip; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Mary was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother Jim Gottsleben.

Visitation will be held 6-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with Father Kevin Achbach as celebrant.

Interment will be at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

Her online guestbook is available at http://www.rushfuneralhome.com