Matura "Tura" Mary Ellen Pelayic (Tims), 90, of Rapid City, SD, passed away Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at The Village at Skyline Pines, Rapid City, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial for Tura will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 14, 2023, at Blessed Sacrament Church, Rapid City, SD, with Father Francis Nsubuga officiating and Father Mark McMormick as homilist.  A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow Mass at the church hall. Burial will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

Visitation will be 5-6 p.m. Sunday, at the church, followed by a Vigil Prayer Service and rosary at 6 p.m.

Osheim Schmidt Funeral Home, 2700 Jackson Boulevard, Rapid City, SD, 57702, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends are encouraged to share memories of Tura on the online guestbook at https://www.osheimschmidt.com/ .

Matura was born on April 6, 1933 in Rapid City, SD to Leo M. & Mary (Alworth) Tims, the second of two children.  She lived most of her life in Rapid City, graduating from Rapid City High School in 1951.  She worked at several locations in town, notably Pennington County Health Services and McMahon's Feed & Seed.

In 1957 she met her future husband, Peter, at the Newman Center where she was an active member.  They married in 1958 and in 1959 welcomed their first daughter.  The following 8 years brought 4 more children into the fold.  Tura spent the next 20 years as a supportive military wife accompanying her husband to 6 different military bases in the United States Air Force, raising 5 children and anchoring her family through many adventures.

Tura and Peter settled in Rapid City after Peter's retirement from the US Air Force.  Soon after, Tura began working at Blessed Sacrament Church as the parish secretary.  She spent 20 years there and served under 5 different pastors.

Tura was the epitome of "Mother" and as wife and mother a fierce advocate and supporter of her family.  During her children's school years she took on the task of helping with school assignments, attending every ball game, social event, or artistic production her children were involved in, cheering them on with enthusiasm.

Tura had many interests, chiefly among them was her appreciation for horses, often recalling her younger years riding in the Black Hills of SD. Tura will be forever remembered for her deep faith and how she shared it with her family and anyone she met, for her appreciation of her Irish heritage, and her wit and joyful disposition. Most of all she will be remembered for her courage, compassion and kind-hearted way.

Tura was preceded in death by her father, mother, and brother Leo Jr.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Peter Pelayic, 5 children; Mary (Kevin) Molloy,  Peter (Rebecca) Pelayic, Beth Duffy, Michala (Jim) Heller, Shawn (Rachel) Pelayic, 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family invites memorials to Rapid City WAVI, 527 Quincy St, Rapid City, SD or The Abbey of the Hills, PO Box 38, Marvin, SD, 57251.