Visitation: Visitation, with family present, will be Wednesday, September 11 from 5-7 p.m. at Grand Valley Lutheran Church.  A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. 

Service: Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Grand Valley Lutheran Church, Canton, SD. 

Mary B. Eliason, age 91, died Saturday, September 7, 2024 surrounded by her family at Sanford Canton-Inwood Hospital.  Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Grand Valley Lutheran Church, Canton, SD.  Visitation, with family present, will be Wednesday, September 11 from 5-7 p.m. at Grand Valley Lutheran Church.  A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m.  In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Grand Valley Cemetery Association or Love, Inc.

Mary was born on December 27, 1932 in Beresford, SD to John and Solveig (Pedersen) Eikanger.  Mary graduated from Augustana Academy in 1950.  In 1957, she obtained a teaching degree from Augustana College.

Mary taught kindergarten in Watertown, SD, Worthington, MN, and Marshall, MN.  She was also a substitute teacher in Canton, SD for several years.  In addition, she worked at Sanford Health for 21 years at the Child Care Center and Midwest Home Health.

            Mary was united in marriage to Harley Eliason in June 18, 1960.  They lived and farmed south of Canton and were blessed with three children, Karen, Steve and Mike.

Mary was an active member of Grand Valley Lutheran Church.  Through the years, she was a Sunday School Teacher, an officer on the church council and WELCA, and was the first female president of Grand Valley.  She was also a member of the Grieg Auxiliary and longtime member and secretary of the Sons of Norway.

Mary enjoyed anything Norwegian, loved baking flatbread and krumkake, traveling, especially to Norway, musicals, watching Wheel of Fortune, and rooting for the MN Twins.  Above all else, she cherished time spent with her family.

            Mary is survived by her children, Karen (Terry) Kaskie, Steve (Penny) Eliason, and Mike (Mary) Eliason; grandchildren, Amanda (Adam) Sivertson, Kari (Brandon) Rozeboom, Andy Kaskie, Camden Eliason, Harley Eliason, and Asher Eliason; 6 great-grandchildren; grandchild-in-law, Tiffany Kreun; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Eikanger and Judy Eikanger; 4-legged friend, Leo; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Harley; grandson, Jerry Kreun, brothers, Lee and Paul Eikanger; and sisters-in-law, Lois (Max) Reade and Mardell (Frank) Antes.

Mary will be remembered for always having Hershey’s Kisses, deeply loving both her family and her Grand Valley family, and being a witness of faith to many, in her quiet, gentle way.