Mary Gebhard

Mary Gebhard, 81, of Wecota, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 7, 2012 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wecota with Pastor Timothy Koch officiating. Burial followed at 5:00 p.m., Monday at Forest Hill Cemetery, Canton.  Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Luce Funeral Home, Faulkton.

Mary Jane was born February 22, 1931 to Emil and Laura (Fersdahl) Hansen in Sioux Falls.  She attended and graduated from Washington High School.  On August 6, 1988 she married Dean Gebhard in Sioux Falls and together they made their home on a farm near Wecota, South Dakota.  She enjoyed collecting rocks, reading, making “one of a kind” special cards, and being in nature.  In her early years, she was a 4-H leader and Sunday School Teacher.  Mary was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and she took great pride in being there for her family.

She is survived by her loving husband, Dean Gebhard of Wecota; sons: Terry (Kelley) Beck of Sioux Falls, Steve Beck of Canton, Kevin (Ginger) Beck of Worthing and Steven (Zelda) Gebhard of Edgeley, ND; daughters: Angie (Terry) Graves of Fort Collins, CO and Valerie (Bruce) Ereth of Gering, NE; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; special friend, Bonnie Loken and special sister-in-law, Lois Hanson.

Preceding her in death were her parents; brother, Tom; sisters, Margaret and Elinor; and sons: infant Vincent Roberts Beck and Vincent “Vince” Roberts Beck.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Mary’s arrangements.