Mary Ann McGaa, 93, of Rapid City, SD passed away peacefully on January 20, 2024, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Mary was born on March 14, 1930, to Ray and Thetna (Hudspeth) Yeager at Red Shirt Table, South Dakota.  She was raised on a sheep ranch east of Buffalo Gap with her four older sisters (Edna, Nellie, Freda, Ruth). She received her education from the Holy Rosary Mission boarding school (Red Cloud Indian School).  As a child she enjoyed spending time with grandpa "Papa" Hudspeth, dancing, making mud pies and coloring his beard with crepe paper.

In 1943, the family moved to New Mexico, from there to California, Utah and then back to the Buffalo Gap area.  She married Ray McGaa on September 15, 1949, in Pine Ridge, South Dakota and became the loving mother to his two small boys (Lloyd & Dale). Mary and Ray went on to have six more children (Letta, Doyle, Marlin, Thetna, Kathy and Loretta). Raising her children was Mary's pride and joy. She had immense passion for her family and accepted others with an open heart and unconditional love.

In the summer of 1974, Mary began working at Red Cloud Indian School until her retirement in 1992.  While she served in several different roles at Red Cloud, the school kitchen is where she found her calling.  She was vigilant about making sure all children had food and would often send paper bag lunches home with them. Because of her generosity and caring attitude, the students often talked with Mary when they were struggling or just needed a good listener. Her compassion and positive attitude had an enduring impact on the students and staff at Red Cloud.

Mary is survived by sons Dale (Rhonda) McGaa of Pine Ridge, SD and Doyle McGaa of Rapid City, SD; daughters Loveletta Lovec Flowers of Rapid City, SD, Marlin (Tom) Paye of Huron, SD, Thetna (Ben) McBride of Hermosa, SD, Kathy Griffith of Kyle, SD, and Loretta (Gregg) McGaa of Rushville, NE.  Jim (Elsie) Meeks of Interior, SD. Mary leaves behind a legacy of 31 grandkids, 86 great-grandkids and 36 great-great grandkids, numerous nieces and nephews and a lifetime of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Thetna Yeager, Husband Raymond and sisters and their spouses Edna (George) Matern, Nellie (Sidney) Cuny, Freda Yeager and Ruth (Manuel) Velasquez, "big brother" Bud Sherman, daughters Gloria and Carol, son Lloyd, son-in-law Lee Flowers, grandson Sterling "Moss" McBride, and great granddaughter Jayla Marie Rodriguez

May Mary's legacy of love and kindness continue to resonate in the hearts of those who knew her.

Friends and family are invited to a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.  Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m.  A Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated  at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024 at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church.  A lunch and time for fellowship will follow.  Burial will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, January 29 at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City.

Memorial contributions in Mary's memory may be made to St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church.