Mary Tystad, age 78, of Mitchell died February 27, 2005, at the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital after a courageous battle with leukemia. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Holy Family Catholic Church. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Will funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery. Mary Therese Coyne was born March 12, 1926, at Ethan, South Dakota, to Leo and Dorothy Coyne. She graduated from Ethan High School and attended Mount Marty College in Yankton. She was a one-room schoolteacher who had a positive impact on the children she taught. She married Milo S. Tystad on October 28, 1946, in Mitchell. They spent 56 years together as life-long partners and friends, raising five children. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. In addition to raising a family, Mary worked outside the home through the years. She ran the Karmelkorn shop on 3rd Street, and she managed Wholesale Supply. She worked for Four Seasons and Shopko. In retirement she focused on her family and many friends. She was the unofficial historian of both the Coyne and Tystad families, active in planning and hosting large annual reunions. She was a wonderful friend to the community and a bright spirit to all she touched. She is survived by her five children: Nancy Tystad Koupal and husband Bill, Pierre, SD; Doug Tystad and wife, Val, Leavenworth, KS; Brian Tystad and wife Patti, King of Prussia, PA; Kathryn Simpson and husband Jim, Omaha, NE; and Sheila Kendall and husband Pat, Papillion, NE; eleven grandchildren: Alyssa Koupal Sudrala, Kristen Koupal Venner, Scott, Jacob and Amelia Tystad, Katie, Jessie, Jackie and Kellie Simpson, Rachel and Ryan Kendall; two great grandchildren, Rylen and Autumn Sudrala; three sisters: Jeanette Culhane and husband Don, Mitchell SD; D. Eileen Tystad and husband Claire, Gering, NE; Carol Pumper and husband Romie, Shakopee, MN; three brothers: James Coyne and wife Frances, New York, NY; Pat Coyne and wife Peggy, Rapid City, SD; and Michael Coyne, Brookings, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, all of whom she greatly loved. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her soul-mate and loving husband Milo.