Columbia - Mary Pearl McCormick, 79, of Columbia, S.D. died Friday, July 22, 2005, at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 26, 2005, at United Church of Christ, Columbia, S.D. with Rev. Sheila Apland-Ottenbacher officiating followed by Order of Eastern Star Service conducted by Grace Albrecht. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen. Visitation will be 2-7 p.m., Monday, at Miller-Huebl Funeral Home, 1111 South Main St., Aberdeen with a public prayer service being held at 7 p.m. Visitation continues for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Mary Pearl Hostetter was born Dec. 11, 1925, to Enos Weaver and Edna May (Richardson) Hostetter at Hecla, S.D. She grew up on a farm in the Hecla-Claremont area with five sisters and seven brothers. Mary married Marvin Robert Kimball on Dec. 18, 1943. To this union was born four blessed children. They made their home in various places in the Hecla and Oakes area, plus living in Cutbank, Mont., and Grandby, Mo. She returned to Columbia after the death of Marvin to raise her children. She married Harold Leo McCormick on Aug. 8, 1956, in Aberdeen, S.D. They lived and farmed on a farm one mile north of Tacoma Park for 21 years until they moved into Columbia in 1976. She continued to reside in Columbia until the time of her death. Mary was a member of the United Church of Christ in Columbia, a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Past Matron of the Star of North Columbia and served the order faithfully. She was also a member of Rebecca Lodge, a 50-year member of the Legion Auxiliary, the Women of the Moose, was a 4-H leader for 16 years and also a member of a square dance club. She loved dancing, bowling and doing needlework. She enjoyed the wild roses that grew along the road and always liked to stop and smell the roses. The other loves of her life were her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren and sharing coffee and fellowship with her friends. She was nominated Neighbor of the Year for her many kind deeds and all the community service she performed. Her memory lives on with her loving husband of 49 years; her children, Rita (Dennis) Stange of Brandon, S.D., Judy (Wilbur) Albrecht of Columbia, S.D., Lana Cuzzort of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Gary Kimball of Merrimac, Wis.; three brothers; five sisters; 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one husband, four brothers and one grandson. Casket bearers will be her grandchildren, Terry Stange, Mara Hart, Jerry Stange, Cherie Reuer, Shad Albrecht, Brenda Hall, Laurel Neauvel, Desseri Halstead, Shane Cuzzort, Raven Atherston, Harold Leo McCormick Kimball, Candice Kimball and Jacqueline Kimball. Honorary casket bearers will be Members of Star of The North #122 of Columbia and Adah Chapter #52 of Claremont.
Published in the Aberdeen News on 7/25/2005.