Mary E. (Mayme) VanLaecken, age 102, of Mitchell, SD formerly of Letcher, SD died Tuesday September 11, 2007 at Firesteel Healthcare Center. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Friday at the Will Funeral Chapel with burial at St. Scholastica Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday at the Will Funeral Chapel with a rosary service beginning at 7:00 PM. Mayme Friedenbach, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Reding) Friedenbach, was born June 5, 1905 in Randolph, NE. She was united in marriage with Herman Hoffman in December of 1925. The couple farmed at various locations in the Osmond, NE area until 1939. In 1939 they moved with their family of eight to Letcher, SD where they farmed until the early 1950s. As a hard working farm wife, Mayme helped in every aspect of farm life including, raising and butchering ducks, turkeys and chickens. She enjoyed having a large garden and doing her own canning. Mayme was a wonderful seamstress, making much of the clothing for her family. After Maymes children were married, she helped in the local school lunch room, caring for children and working for various businesses in the area. In later years, Mayme enjoyed making quilts and afghans for her family and other friends. She had a fantastic memory for names, places, events and dates, a talent that amazed those around her. Mayme lived in Letcher until October of 2001, when she moved to Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell, SD. Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter, Martha Louise Blindauer, Spokane, WA; her sister, Caroline Salisbury, Omaha, NE; 24 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her 1st husband, Herman Hoffman; her 2nd husband, Lawrence Van Laecken; three sons, Richard, Thomas and James Hoffman; two daughters, Melvina Thompson and Mardell Anderson; two grandsons, Michael Thompson and Ralph Hoffman; and a granddaughter, Rory Alana (Butch) Cundy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Holy Family or Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell, SD.