Mary DeVaal

Mary DeVaal, age 87, of Milbank died July 2, 2017, at her residence.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 11 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Visitation will be held on Monday at Mundwiler Funeral Home from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Tuesday, one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be in the Milbank City Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be: Dale Tuchscherer, Fred Lundberg, Brad Kelzer, Tom Kelzer, Marty Kelzer, and Larry Schaffer. Honorary bearers will be the Grant County VFW Auxiliary. Music will be provided by: Sandy Tucholke, organist; Tim Jurgens, vocalist; and the St. Lawrence Funeral Choir.

Mary Rita Kelzer DeVaal was born October 19, 1929, in Ortonville, MN. She was the daughter of Ben M. and Rose (Acker) Kelzer. She attended St. Joseph’s School in Rosen, MN. Mary was united in marriage with Milton M. DeVaal on December 31, 1949, in Watertown, SD.

Mary farmed with her husband three miles north of Milbank until March of 1995. They retired and moved to Milbank. Milton died on October 5, 1996. Mary was a faithful member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. She was a very active and proud member of the Grant County VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed volunteer work at the Community Thrift Store. She adored her grandchildren and always enjoyed watching their activities.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Dennis (Mary) DeVaal of Fitchburg, WI; Gerald (Denice) DeVaal of Grand Forks, ND; Jim (Karla) DeVaal of Milbank, SD; Diane DeVaal of Milbank, SD; seven grandchildren: Scott (Kathy) Krueger, Jessica DeVaal, Kristina DeVaal, Justin DeVaal, Jeremy DeVaal, Jamie DeVaal, and Jodi DeVaal; two great-grandsons: Jack and Cole Krueger; two brothers: Harvey (Josephine) Kelzer of Ortonville, MN; Gene Kelzer of Rochester, MN; two sisters: Vivian Strei of Ortonville, MN; Elaine Ries of Watertown, SD; brother-in-law, Stan (Muriel) DeVaal of Rochester, MN.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Jim Kelzer and great-grandson, Isaac.