Mary Eyer

Published 12:40 am Saturday, October 11, 2014

November 16, 1921 – September 24, 2014

Mary Eyer, 92, Mitchell, died Wednesday, September 24, 2014, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell. Funeral services will be Saturday, October 4, 2014, 10:30AM at the First United Methodist Church in Mitchell. Burial will be in Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the First United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Mary Louise Eyer was born November 16, 1921 in Mitchell, to Bernie and Blanche (Brisbin) Haehner. She attended country school for eight years and graduated from Alexandria High School in 1939. She completed a secretarial course at Sioux Falls College. She was then employed at the Pentagon in Washington DC during World War II. While in Washington she met Dale Eyer and after their marriage they moved to the Bay Area of California where they lived until moving to a ranch near Bend OR. This ownership and a job as a school secretary provided a busy life. At this time her love of music led her to begin ringing hand bells, a hobby she continued in Bend and at the First United Methodist Church in Mitchell, which she faithfully attended. Their move to Mitchell, SD, brought Mary closer to the prairie where she grew up. She loved her home often saying she would never leave it. Aunt Mary never missed a family gathering and a chance to hold the newest baby. In earlier years she and Dale often entertained in their home. Even as her health failed her outlook on life remained happy and positive. She will be missed.Survivors include her son, James (Shirley) Eyer of Bend, OR, granddaughters, Penny and Lisa, step-grandsons, Keith and Shawn, numerous great-grandchildren, her sister, Blanche Hilton, Mitchell, SD, and her family, Bob (Kathy) Hilton, Jon (Elaine) Hilton, Meredith (John) McLeod, Don (Cherie) Hilton, Steve (Lisa) Hilton, numerous great and great-great-nieces and nephews and a special friend, Pat Pruet.Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Dale in 2001, her brother, Carl, her stepdaughter, Ruth McClaskey and her parents.