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Mary Dappen, 89, of Mitchell, South Dakota, formerly of Burke, South Dakota passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Edgewood Assisted Living in Mitchell.  Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Will Funeral Chapel 210 E. Green Dr. in Mitchell.  Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Reunion Church 700 E. 15th Ave. in Mitchell.  Graveside services will be approximately 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 28, 2025, at Graceland Cemetery in Burke, South Dakota.

Mary Dappen was born on June 16, 1936, the first child of Louie Henry and Sophie Pauline (Svoboda) Matucha at their farm near Burke, SD. She was reunited with loved ones in heaven on July 23, 2025, in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Czech was the native language spoken in her home, so Mary didn't learn English until she started first grade at Rambrandt country school. She later attended Burke High School.

Mary discovered the family bible on a closet shelf at age 12 and began reading. Through listening to "Back to the Bible" children's programs and later through her relationship with her mother-in-law, Rosetta, she came to faith in Jesus.

In 1951 she married Wesley Dappen. They farmed and raised their four children on the family homestead near Lucas. She was always proud of being a homemaker and living on the farm. She loved hosting family and friends around her kitchen table and at outdoor picnics.

Mary was an active member of the Lucas Baptist Church teaching Sunday School, participating in the Women's Auxiliary, attending services and bible studies.

She was a 4-H leader, where she was able to pass her love of homemaking, sewing, cooking, gardening, and farming to the younger generation. She was a member of the Farmers Union and Gregory County Home Extension for over 45 years.

Wes and Mary spent the winter months in Harlingen, Texas where they had a home for 35 years and made many life-long friends and memories. After 50 years of farming, they sold the family farm and retired to Lincoln, Nebraska. After Wesley's death in 2010, Mary moved to Mitchell, SD for her remaining years.  Since moving she has attended Reunion Church in Mitchell.

She was known for her generosity, looking for ways to extend friendship. She would brighten people's day by sharing photos, news clippings, and finding common connections. She was outgoing and loved meeting people.

Mary is survived by her son, Dr. Robert (Cindy) Dappen of Tempe, AZ and their children, Becky Wright, Jackie, Clancy, and Luke Dappen; daughters, Shirley Olson of Louisville, KY and her children, Neleigh and Ethan Olson; Dorene Hoffie of Pierre, SD; and Joette (Jon) Loos of Lincoln, NE and their children, Noah and Annie Loos; great grandchildren, Elliot and Iris Clancy, Violet and Zoey Wright, and Bruna and Oliver Dappen; sister-in-law, Lavina Frey Matucha; brothers-in-law, Luther Dappen and Glen Dappen; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley; her parents; brother, Louie Matucha; sister, Louise Matucha; son-in-law, Calvin Hoffie; granddaughter, Lindsay Olson; brothers-in-law, Joseph Theodore "Ted" Dappen and Lester Dappen; sisters-in-law, Beverly Dappen Jacobsen, Margaret Dappen, Harriet Dappen, and Barbara Dappen.