Mary Asmussen

Funeral services were held at  3:00 p.m., Friday, January 16, 2009 at Christ Episcopal Church in Gettysburg with Rev. John Tarrant officiating. Burial followed in the Onida Cemetery. Visitation was held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 15, 2009 at the Luce Funeral Home in Gettysburg with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Mary Margaret Brake was born October 23, 1917 to Margaret (Funston) and Bernard Brake in Madison, South Dakota. When Mary was very young the family moved to Mitchell, South Dakota. As a young girl she helped in her parent’s café as a cashier. She graduated from Mitchell Public Schools in 1936 and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Business Education from Dakota Wesleyan University. Throughout high school and college she worked for Coca Cola Bottling Company, Dressen Moving and Storage Company, the State Movie Theater, and Woolworth’s Dime Store as a bookkeeper and cashier. She also spent a summer on tour with a professional dance company.

In 1941 she moved to Agar, South Dakota to begin her teaching career. In Agar, she met and married Stanley Asmussen. She and Stanley raised their three children there. During Stanley’s service in World War II, Mary lived in Mitchell with her mother and grandmother while she taught in Plankinton. After the war Mary and Stan returned to Agar and lived there until his death in 1999. Later that year Mary moved to Parkwood Apartments in Pierre where she resided until her death. While at Parkwood she became well known for her reply to the question “How are you?” Her reply: Fat and Sassy.”

Mary enjoyed being active in her community. She was a member of Christ Church Episcopal in Gettysburg where she served as a lay reader and delegate to church conventions. For over 50 years she was an American Legion Auxiliary member and was one of the people responsible for creating poppy corsages. Mary directed many plays for the Agar school and community and taught gymnastics to local children. She was an avid bridge player and a member of the “Les Amies” bridge club for over 50 years. Mary served on the Agar school board and was an election judge. She was a member of the Sully County Democrats and was a state convention delegate. She was a member of American Association of University Women and Cattle Women. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s she helped run the Bunkhouse Café in Agar.

Mary devoted much time and energy to raising her children, whom she loved very much. She also loved animals, especially dogs and cats, and she had many pets. Mary enjoyed driving many miles just to have lunch or see the sights.

Grateful for having shared her life are her three children: Johannas (David), Tom (Vivian), and Ted (Brenda); grandchildren: Jasen (Sheila), Nicole, Kelcey (Monty), Tennile (Bryce), Erin, Jessica (Kevin), Kaitlin, and Laura; step grandchildren: Trevor, Michelle, Nicholas; great grandchildren: Justin, A.J., Marlee, and Maya; step great grandchildren: Bryan, Terry Jo, Alanea, and Austin: great-great grandson: Bryden; and a cousin, 101 year old Bee Van Meter; and many relatives and friends.

Her husband, an infant brother and infant sister, her parents, two cousins, her parents’ in-law and several brothers’ and sisters’ in-law preceded Mary in death.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Mary's arrangements.

MINSTER
The Rev. John T. Tarrant

CASKETBEARERS
Jasen Golden
Justin Mittleider
Erin Asmussen
Jessica Asmussen
Kelcey Shorter
Kaitlin Asmussen
Laura Asmussen
Tennile Lindskov
Nicole Asmussen

USHERS
Trevor Houdek
Dean Frederick
 
ORGANIST
Evelyn Venner 

VOCALIST
Colleen Simon 

MUSIC SELECTIONS
"Ave Maria"
"A Mighty Fortress"