Aberdeen - Funeral service for Mary Eva Mehaffey, 82, of Aberdeen will be 2 p.m. Monday, October 27, 2003, at Zion Lutheran Church, 1732 So. Main St. Pastor Marcia Sylvester will officiate. Burial will be at the Groton Union Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary, 414 5th Ave. NW, and for one hour before the funeral on Monday at the church.

Mary passed away Friday, October 24, 2003, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital.

Mary Eva Gisi was born May 26, 1921, to Baldaser and Theresa (Heier) Gisi in Hosmer, S.D., and attended country school.

She married George A. Lacher and made their home on a farm in the Zeeland, N.D., area. They moved to Aberdeen in the early 1950s. Mary was employed as a cook at St. Luke's Hospital and later with various restaurants in Aberdeen. George passed away in 1957, and Mary continued to live in Aberdeen.

On December 11, 1961, she married Richard "Dick" Mehaffey in Aberdeen. Mary has resided at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen for the past four years.

She was a member of the Women Of The Moose Lodge, Foster Grandparents, and the Senior Center. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking, and gardening.

Preceding Mary in death are her first husband, parents, five brothers and four sisters.

Surviving is her husband, Richard "Dick" Mehaffey of Aberdeen; two daughters, Louise (Gerold) Zumbaum of Warner, and Mary T. (Gerald) Diegel of Dallas, Texas. One step-son, Richard Mehaffey Jr. of Park Rapids, Minn. Two brothers, Sebastian (Rita) Gisi of Aberdeen and Benedict (Magdalena) Gisi of Hosmer. Five grandchildren, Darrell, Rhonda, Danny, Dean Zumbaum, and Nancy Criddle. Three step-grandchildren, Mary, Amber and Robin Mehaffey. Nine great great grandchildren, four step-great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter.

Published in Aberdeen News on Oct. 26, 2003.