Mary Cecelia (Moran) Tysdal, 104, of Mitchell died Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell with her family at her side.
Funeral services were Saturday, May 3 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation was Friday, May 2 with a scripture service at Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Mary was born Nov. 7, 1909, the 10th of 11 children to Matthew and Mary Jane Moran in Woonsocket. She attended school in Woonsocket, was highly involved in academic and extra-curricular activities and graduated from high school in 1928.
After working as a legal assistant for a prominent Woonsocket attorney for a year, she attended Notre Dame Academy in Mitchell where she pursued a family tradition in the teaching profession. She began her teaching career in a Sanborn County country school and subsequently joined her bother John in McLaughlin, where she taught Native American children.
During World War II (1944) she traveled to Washington D.C. to marry her long-time sweetheart Lloyd Tysdal of Artesian and worked as a telephone operator and railroad ticket clerk while her husband was serving his country. They later returned to Mitchell and she devoted her life to her family for the next two decades.
Mary also returned to school at Dakota Wesleyan University and Northern State College to renew her teaching certificate and then taught second grade at Holy Spirit Catholic School until her retirement.
She enjoyed traveling to see her children and grandchildren and remained active in her community and church, expanding her social network to include friends of all ages. Mary was an avid Twins fan and at age 103 was honored as a special guest by the Twins organization and met her favorite player, Joe Mauer, on the field in Minneapolis. She was recognized by both the President and the Governor for achieving an exemplary life for all to emulate.
She is survived by her three children, James (Mary) Tysdal, Appleton, Wis., Mary Jo (Tyz) Thurston, Rapid City, and William (Jan) Tysdal, Rapid City; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other special people.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Tysdal, and her son, Morris.
The family is requesting a memorial to Holy Spirit School in lieu of flowers.