Mary Ann (Anderson) Tounsley, age 91, of Custer, SD, passed away on December 16, 2015, at the Custer Regional Senior Care Center where she had been a resident for the past 4 years.

Mary was born March 22, 1924, at home near Lake Preston, SD, to James and Etta (Boss) Anderson. She was the sixth child in a farm family of twelve children. Mary grew up on the farm near Lake Preston where her memories were of going to school in a sleigh behind a team of horses and picking corn by hand with her Dad and sisters. At the beginning of WWII, Mary went to Washington, DC, and worked as a review person, decoding letters from various battlefields to notify families of injuries and deaths. In 1945, she returned to Lake Preston and married Charles J. Tounsley and became mother to his sons, John and Jerry. A son, Alan, was born in July 1945. They lived in Lake Preston and Huron, SD, and then moved to Custer in 1954. A son, Gary, was born in March 1960.

Mary worked at various jobs during her years in Custer; the toy factory, the mica plant, Custer Nursing Home, Custer Ranger District, Soil Conservation Service, as Custer County Clerk of Courts, Crazy Horse, Senior Companion program and as an Avon representative. She was also involved in Cub Scouts, Eastern Star and the Custer Senior Center.

Mary had many interests throughout her life. She raised tropical fish, grew beautiful flowers and houseplants, she was an excellent photographer and a top notch cook. The family spent most weekends and vacations camping, hunting and fishing.

Mary is survived by her sons, Alan (Wanda), Sheperd, MT; Gary (Diane), Custer; Jerry (Marilyn),Chamberlin, SD; 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Charles; her son John; and 9 of her siblings.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer with Rev. Richard Behringer officiating. A visitation will be held 1 hour prior to services.