Archived Services

Mary Ann Boyd
10-19-2020

Mary Ann (Fergen) Boyd was born on July 25, 1925, at home, was delivered by a mid-wife in Dimock, SD. She lived on the family farm with her parents Helen and Henry Fergen, and 8 siblings. She attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in Dimock SD through 8^th grade. Mary Ann was a life-long learner. She obtained her GED from Yankton High School at the age of 49 and went onto to take some courses at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. 

 She married Lavern Boyd on September 23, 1947 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. They lived on the family farm in Rockham, SD. Mary Ann was active in the family dairy farm, while raising 4 children, singing in the choir, participating in multiple church activities. She was a lifelong member of Catholic Daughters for 57 years. If there was a need, Mary Ann was there with a salad, homemade cake, or cookies. 

 Mary Ann passed on her many talents of cooking, canning, sewing, gardening, cleaning, and love of God and family traditions to her 4 children Janet, Don, Joan and Judy. She did all of this without complaint or the comfort of the many modern conveniences we all enjoy today.

 After selling the family farm in 1964, her husband was hired by Dave Gustafson Construction and Mary Ann lovingly followed her husband with their mobile home intact across SD to the next highway needing to be built. If you have driven on I-90 or I-29, he built it.

 In 1967, the family settled in Sioux Falls where Mary Ann continued to care for her family and blessed them with many delicious and lovingly prepared cooked from scratch meals. Any visit to Mary Ann’s house would not be complete without lots of laughs, coffee, cake, cookies, cards and maybe even a fully cooked meal. The family favorite was her fried chicken. We have never had better. 

 Mary Ann had many jobs besides caring for her family. She worked at Mr. Thomas’ Grocery, Dave Gustafson Road Construction, Hinky Dinky bakery and Family Memorials by Gibson.  

 Mary Ann and Lavern loved to dance, especially waltzes, polka and jitter bugs. That is how they met on the dance floor.

 After Lavern died in 1984, Mary Ann was active at St. Michael Church as a charter member, Bible Study, Catholic Daughters, Active Generations, traveling and keeping her house spotless. Much of her time was spent playing cards, participating in drama club, dancing and volunteering. 

 Mary Ann kept God first in all she did. Her children were often told their chores were for the “Honor and glory of God” like picking weeds from the garden, the lawn, anything to keep her children busy and out of trouble. 

 Mary Ann is described by many as humble, loving, caring, unselfish, hardworking, forgiving, and a perfectionist in everything she did. 

 She will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind and we are joyous she joins her husband Lavern, parents Helen and Henry Fergen, brothers Leonard, Jim, Joe, Henry; sisters Helen, Agnes, and Adela, and grandson Brete Hoover in Heaven. She is survived by her four children: Jan Hoover (Chuck), Don Boyd (Atty), Joan Herr (Mark) and Judy Weidler (Ron); 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one brother: Don Fergen (Gladys).

 In lieu of flowers, Mary Ann would be happy if memorials could be sent to St. Michael Catholic School or the SD Alzheimer’s Association. 

The Holy Rosary will be recited by the Catholic Daughters at 4:00 PM on Thursday, October 22 at St. Michael Catholic Church with visitation at 4:30 PM followed by a Scripture Vigil at 5:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, October 23, 10:00 AM at St. Michael Catholic Church.