Mary Ellen Vogt was born on June 23rd, 1943, to Anton & Rose (Cotton) Jensen.  She was called home to the Lord, peacefully, with loving family by her side at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center on March 14th, 2024.
Growing up, Mary Ellen lived on a ranch east of Fairfax near Scalp Creek on the Missouri River.  She attended a country school by her house through eighth grade and started high school in Bonesteel the following year.
Mary Ellen married Don Stuckers in 1959 and to this union two daughters were born, Vickie and Lori.  She married Gary Vogt in 1968 and along with their daughter, Rosemary, was blessed with three stepchildren:  John, Tony, and Linda.
After living in Sioux Falls for a few years they moved the family to Fairfax where Mary Ellen and her sister Carol operated Mary's Cafe.  The family later moved to Bonesteel and became members of the Zion Lutheran church.  She worked at Hermsen's grocery store while supporting the family trucking and feed store business doing the bookkeeping.  She then followed her passion and opened a craft store, Mary's Wood N' Stuff, where she handmade wooden crafts, beautiful flower arrangements, and later added home decor.  People came from miles around to shop in her store.
In 2001 Gary and Mary Ellen built the home of their dreams on a farm outside of Bonesteel.  There they raised cattle, chickens, and even pheasants, ducks, and geese at times.  The grandchildren spent hours and hours riding four wheelers around the farm.  The family has many special memories of happy hour on the patio where Gary would often entertain us with country music on his guitar and Mary Ellen would sing.
Mary Ellen had numerous talents.  She was a seamstress, making many of her kids' clothes in their younger years.  She spent countless hours working in the large family garden and canned endless amounts of vegetables.  She was a great cook, known for her homemade bread (can we have "Grandma Mary Ellen toast" was often heard from her grandkids) and her tasty dill pickles were always a hit at family gatherings.

Mary Ellen was a spitfire, so fun to be around, and always had a witty comeback.  Above all, she had a heart of gold and always put her family and friends' needs before her own.  She will be deeply missed by many.

Mary Ellen is survived by children Vickie Stueck, Lori Stuckers (Cory Dale), and Rosemary Vogt; stepchildren John Vogt, Tony Vogt (Sue), and Linda Vogt-Sieh (Willie); many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; sisters Carol Schroeder, Sandra Cahoy, and Nila Koenig (Ronnie).

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband Gary, parents Anton and Rose Jensen, brother Helmer Jensen, and sisters Louise Truax and Marilyn Weidner.

Rest in peace sweet mom, grandma, aunt, and friend.  We love you and will miss you forever.

Funeral services for Mary Ellen Vogt, age 80, of Bonesteel, South Dakota will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Bonesteel.  Burial will be in the Rosebud Cemetery, Bonesteel.  Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the services at the church.