Mary Margaret Alexander passed away on Monday, June 19th under Hospice Care at Avera Brady Nursing Home.

A Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 AM Friday, June 23,2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church; burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Mitchell, SD. Visitation will be from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM with a 7:00 prayer service and Rosary on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Will Funeral Chapel.

Mary was born on 3/29/1944 to Francis and Erma Kelly of Stickney, South Dakota. She graduated from Stickney High in 1962, and from IBM School in Omaha, Nebraska with a degree in Keypunch Operation.  After a few years living in Mitchell, she moved to Holland, Michigan.  She raised 3 children while working a full-time job to support the family.  Mary and her husband moved to Mitchell in 1997, and her husband passed away in 1998.  Mary found joy in her employment as a babysitter for Jacob and Madi Louder (parents John and Teresa), and continued that relationship with their younger siblings Kolden, McKenna, and Kya Bannwarth (parents Teresa and Brian).  All 5 children have always called her "Grandma Mary", and were like a second family to her.

Known for her volunteer spirit, Mary represented Holy Family Church on the Food Pantry Board of Directors and volunteered several times a week at the Pantry for the past 20 years.  She attended daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration regularly, belonged to Catholic Daughters, and attended over 30 Koinonia Retreats as both an attendant and Facilitator. She attended the Singles Dances, and there met the love of her life, Dan Morgan. They were engaged to be married, but he passed away prior to the wedding.  Her time with Dan was a very happy time and she always treasured those memories.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Erma Kelly, two brothers, Jim and Larry Kelly, and an infant granddaughter Maryann Walker.  She is survived by brothers Thomas (Shirley) Kelly, Bill (Judy) Kelly, Ron (Delores) Kelly, and Harold (Billie) Kelly, sister-in-laws Veretta Kelly and Clarice Kelly.  She is also survived by 2 daughters and a son --  daughter  Wendy Ripley, (partner Mike  DeBoer) grandchildren Doug and  Jacob Evans,  Kaylyn Ripley (fiancé Brandon Hagood) of Holland, Michigan ;  daughter Brenda Hopkins (fiancé Nicholas Dill), grandchildren  Garret (spouse Chelsea, great-grandchildren Lily Gwen and Mack) Hopkins, Gabrielle Hopkins (Jacob Hill), and Gretchen Hopkins (boyfriend Jacob Hawley) of Dowagiac, Michigan ;  son Scott Walker (Michelle), and  grandchildren Erin, Brian, and William Walker of Grand Haven, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Holy Family Catholic Church would be appreciated.