Mary Kuper
March 1, 1947 ~ July 27, 2017
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Mary Kuper, 70, of Ree Heights and formerly of Wessington, passed away Thursday, July 27, 2017 at Highmore Health in Highmore, SD.
Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 31, 2017 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller with Father Paul Josten, celebrant. Burial followed at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Miller. Visitation began at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 30, 2017 followed by a 6:00 p.m. prayer and rosary service, all at the church.
Mary Louise Salisbury was born March 1, 1947 to Robert and Mary (Paulger) Salisbury in Huron, South Dakota. She was raised on the family farm in Wolsey; graduation from Wolsey High School in 1965. She then worked at Raven’s Industries in Huron but quit to re-unite with the love of her life, Vernon Lee Kuper, in Milton, Florida where he was stationed in the Navy. They were married on February 10, 1968 and had two sons, Lonnie and Robb, before moving to Ree Heights in 1970. Daughter Shellee was born in 1973 and then the family moved to Springfield in 1976 so Vernon could attend college. Mary managed the Casey’s convenience store in Springfield. Their youngest son, Quinnten, was born in 1979 and the family moved to Wood, South Dakota for Vernon’s first teaching job. The Kuper family resided there for the next 17 years. Mary was a teacher’s aide at the Wood school which inspired her to pursue her special education teaching degree from Sinte Gleska University in 1998. Vernon and Mary moved to Woonsocket so Mary could teach special education until 2003. They relocated to Wessington where Mary worked at the Wessington School after school program and R&B grocery store.
Vernon and Mary retired to Ree Heights in 2007 until the early onset of Alzheimer disease caused Mary to be placed at the nursing home in Woonsocket in 2014. She was moved to the Highmore Health in 2016 to be closer to Vernon.
Her memory will be cherished by her husband, Vernon Kuper of Ree Heights; son, Lonnie Kuper of Woonsocket with two grandchildren, Corbin and Cassie, along with two great grandchildren, Kayleigh and Carter; son, Robb Kuper of Petersburg, NE with five grandchildren: Koby, Tanner, Brayden, Sydney, and Alyssa; daughter, Shellee (Victor) Finley of Spearfish with four grandchildren: Justin, Shawn, Owen and Aidan; son, Quinnten Kuper of Pierre; brothers: Robert Salisbury, Jr. of Wolsey and Kevan (Kary) Salisbury of Watertown.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary “Mickie” Salisbury; and brothers: Charles “Chuck” Salisbury and Danny Joe Salisbury.
Thank you to all our family and friends who gave us their love and support through this difficult time. Mrs. K will be dearly missed, but in our hearts forever.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Mary’s arrangements.
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My sincere sympathy to the family of Mary Kuper.
Our thoughts and prayers are for your mom and with her family.
We are sad to hear of Mary’s passing. Vernon,we are sending our prayers to you and your family. Take care, Doyle & Kay
Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers during this time and in the days, months and years ahead. We are so very sorry to have learned of Mary’s passing. She was such a wonderful, kind, caring and loving person. I have so many good memories of all the times we visited your house and visa versa while mom and dad played cards with Vernon and your mom. Treasured times they are indeed. She lives on in each of you in the memories she made with you, the love she imparted and how wonderful a job she did as a mother, sister, wife and friend. Truly blessed to have known her.
O my, just shocked. My thought and prayers are with you and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kuper family. Mary’s kindness and smile will be greatly missed by her family.
Dear Family, I will not be able to come to the service on Monday, but my thoughts and prayers will be with all of you the whole day. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Julia, Joe and family, so sorry for your loss! Prayers and Love for you all!
Vernon and family, I’m so sad to hear of Mary’s death, Mary was such a good neighbor and best friend of min in high school being in the same graduating class we did lots of things together back then realy fun loving person,she was smart and fun to be aroundl. After school years we both got married and went our own ways didn’t see each other much any more but I always considered her a special friend . Rest In Peace Mary Louise your earthly struggle is over. Love Arlys Bader and family
Vernon, Kevan, Julia and families. My heartfelt condolences to all of you. Mary was such a sweet gal and will be missed by many. I have fond memories of spending time with the family when we were growing up. We were in Farmers Union and 4-H together and had lots of fun. May our heavenly Father, give you peace and comfort in the coming days.
To Mary Louise’s Family – My deepest sympathy to all in your loss. Mary was a classmate of mine – sweetest person. Cherish the wonderful memories.
Vernon and Family, So very sorry to hear of Mary’s death, we will keep all of you in our prayers. We so appreciated the short time with you here in oregon and in south Dakota..
Our sympathy’s to you and yours Vernon,
During this time of loss, we at AseraCare Hospice, would like to extend our condolences to you ands your family. The nurses and staff at AseraCare thank you for the privilege of being able to serve you during these difficult times. May the Lord bless you and keep you. – The AseraCare Hospice Team