Mary Ward, cofounder and former owner of Snappy Delivery, passed away peacefully at the Mary House in Pierre, SD on August 9, 2011 at the age of 99.
Mary Elizabeth Gaughan was born to James and Ellen (Noonan) Gaughan on May 12, 1912 in Verona, North Dakota. She eventually moved with her family to Vayland, SD.
Mary graduated from high school in Wessington, SD. She attended Nursing School at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, graduating with a nursing degree in 1934. She worked for a while as an RN at St. Mary’s Hospital where she knew Dr. T. F. Riggs.
She married Arthur Clare Ward in 1935 and together they raised thirteen children. Mary was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church belonging to the Altar Society and Catholic Daughters.
She moved to Rapid City, SD in 1976 and in 1987 to Albany, OR before returning to Maryhouse in Pierre in 2009.
Preceding her in passing was her husband of 41 years, Clare Ward, daughter Peggy (Margaret) Ward, granddaughter Clara Finn, grandson Lealon Spaulding, daughter-in-law Velma Ward, brothers James and Art Gaughan, sister Helen Weis, brothers-in-law Brian Lamb, Don Weis and Ivan Ward, sisters-in-law Fran Gaughan, Julia Lemcke and Betty Padilla.
She was loved and will be missed by those who survive her, including her children and their spouses, CW Wayne Ward, Pierre, SD; Jerry and Joyce Ward, Ottertail, MN; Paul and Darlene Ward, Pierre, SD; Kathy and Jack Mikkelson, Rail Road Flat, CA; Jack and Doris Ward, Rapid City, SD; Shirley and Bob Hensel, Cottage Grove, MN; Audrey Ward, Wadena, MN; Don and Mary Ward, Pierre, SD; Betty and Walter Ormesher, Albany OR; Marcia Ward, Albany, OR; Alexa and Don Finn, Sedro-Woolley, WA. and Mike and Sally Ward, River Falls, WI. Mary is survived by 30 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren, four sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests any memorial be given to Mary House, Right to Life or the organization of your choice.
