RAPID CITY- Mary Ann Shields, 75, passed away on July 3, 2019 at Rapid City Regional Hospital surrounded by her family.

Mary Ann was born Feb 13, 1944 in Riverside New Jersey and was the only child of Frank and Tessie Buffarini. She continued to live in New Jersey until she met the love of her life, Vernon Shields. They were married on April 3, 1964. They later moved to South Dakota to be closer to Vern's family and their love of the outdoors.

Mary Ann experienced many medical problems starting at a young age and throughout all of them she had her family by her side. Family was the most important thing to her. She enjoyed many years of not only having her own business (Snappy Pet Grooming) but also enjoyed working for H&R Block for over 20 years and becoming an enrolled agent. She was also very involved with helping to build and establishing St Thomas More. She sat on many boards for both the school and the Cathedral while Janet was attending school there.

After dialysis and a kidney transplant forced her to completely retire, her and Vern started on a new adventure in life: volunteering for the State of South Dakota as campground hosts. They enjoyed 14 years together as campground hosts at Cow Creek Campground. The people they have met while on this adventure have become a second family to them.

She is survived by her loving husband, Vern; daughter Janet Larsen (Billy Miller); and granddaughter Teshia Larsen (Taylor Hagee), all of Rapid City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; seven children; and two grandchildren: Ryan and Rory Ann.Visitation will be 4:00-6:00 pm on Wednesday July 10, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home with a Christian Wake Service at 6:00 p.m.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 11, at the funeral home with Fr. Matt Fallgren officiating.

We ask that you wear purple as it was mom's favorite color.

She will be greatly missed but never forgotten...