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In memory of

Mary Deis

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Monday, September 9, 2013 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 90

Mary M. (Sahli) Deis was born February 3, 1923 at Zeeland, ND to Kasper and Julia (Gabriel) Sahli. She and her parents moved to Roscoe, SD where she grew up and received her education.
Mary was united in marriage to Larry Deis on June 6, 1945 at Salinas, CA. After his discharge from the military, they made their home in Roscoe, SD where they both worked for Mary’s dad at the Sahli Red Owl Grocery Store. Their oldest daughter, Julie, was born during the time they were living in Roscoe.
In 1949, Larry and Mary moved to Dupree, SD, where they owned and operated Deis’s General Store until 1965. Their youngest daughter, Leanne, was born in Dupree.
In 1966, they moved to Philip, SD, where they owned and operated Deis’s Food Center. In 1978, they retired due to Larry’s health. They treasured their time with one another and with family and friends. Their grandchildren have priceless memories of spending their summers with Grandma and Grandpa.
Mary cared for Larry until his death, March 21, 1992. Mary continued to make her home in Philip. Shortly after Larry’s death, she met the second love of her life, a maltese dog named, Baby. They shared an amazing bond and he brought her many years of companionship and joy.
Prayer, church, and the rosary were a part of Mary’s daily routine. She lived her faith. Mary spent many evenings cooking for the local parish priest.
Mary was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Evening Guild Tribe 3; and also a member of the Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Auxiliary 173; all of Philip.
In her later years, Mary had the reputation of having a lead foot while driving through town and she had the ability to track anyone down by phone. We will miss Mary’s voice on the other end of the line.
Grateful for having shared her life are her two daughters, Julie Deis of El Segundo CA, Leanne (Mick) Kennedy Faith, SD; six grandchildren, Lee (Mike) Bakos, Lisa (Richard) Galien of Manhattan Beach, CA, Vikki Hoven of San Francisco, CA, Reggie (Jacki) Kennedy, Mikki (Dale) Haines, and Kyle (Amy) Kennedy all of Faith, SD; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Barb Schwan of Aberdeen, SD, Jeanie Schmitt of Roscoe, SD; and one sister-in-law Delores Sahli of Roscoe, SD; and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry in 1992; her parents; and one brother, Harold Sahli.
Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. Thursday, September 12, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 13, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Kevin Achbach as celebrant.
Interment was held at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
A memorial has been established.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Friday, September 13, 2013 - 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANTS
Father Kevin Achbach
Father Arnold Kari

MUSIC
Jo Anne Stilwell - Pianist
Maureen Palecek - Vocalist
“Peace is Flowing”
“The Lord’s Prayer”
“One Love Released”
“On Eagle’s Wings”
“How Great Thou Art”

USHERS
Jerry Kroetch - Jerry Carley

GIFT BEARERS
Tristan Kennedy - Kaydence Kennedy - Tel Kennedy

LECTOR
Rita O’Connell

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Kay Ainslie - Debbie Prouty - Lloyd Frein

PALLBEARERS
Reggie Kennedy - Mikki Haines - Dale Haines
Kyle Kennedy - Sam Kennedy - Lisa Gallien
Lee Bakos - Vikki Hoven

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery - Philip, South Dakota

Visitation Thursday, September 12, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip,
Vigil service: 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 12, at Sacred Heart.
Mass of Christian Burial :10:00 a.m. Friday, September 13, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church,
Interment: Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

  • Leanne and Mick...though we know the day approaches it never makes it any easier to get through the loss of a parent. May your memories brighten your days. ~ Nancy Philip (9/9/2013)
  • leanne,sorry about losing your mom.i loved caring for her,she was always so fun,and when she lived at the senechal jill and i had many visits with her on the bench,she will be missed!
     ~ Gina Thorson wadena mn (9/9/2013)
  • She was a dear friend and I will always be grateful to her for being there for me when my mother died! God bless her and she is home at last!!! ~ Judy Goldhammer Wall (9/9/2013)
  • Mary was so nice to mom when she moved here 8 years ago and when she was new to the Senechal. My mom will always have a special place in her heart for Mary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ~ Ray and Donna Smith Philip (9/9/2013)
  • I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. I have many fond memories of your Mom & Dad from the store. We always had a good time working together.She will be missed. She was one of a kind. ~ RENE KONST PHILIP (9/9/2013)
  • Leanne, I was sorry to hear about your mom. She was always a nice lady. It would be so hard to lose someone that means so much to you. God Bless you and your family. ~ Gwen McCue Carlstrom Spearfish, SD (9/9/2013)
  • Sorry to hear about Mary's passing, but we know she is at peace. Hold onto all the memories. Les, Joann and Emmie Reedy ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip (9/9/2013)
  • Leanne and family, Sorry for your loss; it is always difficult when you lose Your Mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of You. Kathy & Jerry ~ Kathy & Jerry Noteboom 21309 Cabin Rd. Lead, S. Dakota (9/9/2013)
  • Leanne & Family's so sorry to hear about your mom she was such a sweet lady who thought the world of her family . It's never easy loosing a parent . We just lost Jack's mom last week . She will always be there in your heart . She's up there with your dad watching over all of you . We will keep you in our thoughts & prayers . May God bless you at this difficult time ~ Susan & Jack Heinz Philip (9/9/2013)
  • My condolences to the family. It is also a big loss to the Philip community. The streets won't be the same without greetings from Mary. ~ Tanya McIlravy Philip, SD (9/9/2013)
  • Sincere sympathy to the family. We remember your parents very well, along with the Sahli's from Roscoe - such fine people. May the love of family and friends help comfort you. ~ Karen & Dave Webb Rapid City SD (9/9/2013)
  • Your mother was such a delightful gal. I really enjoyed visiting with her over the years. She always had a smile on her face, but it could disappear in a heartbeat if someone made the wrong move!! She will be missed by many young and old. Cherish all those memories - I'm sure you have quite a variety. God bless you for making time to give her all the love and attention that she so appreciated! She loved her grandkids and talked about them a lot. Prayers for comfort in the days ahead. ~ Shirley Dennis Philip (9/9/2013)
  • To Mary's family, The world has lost a special lady. I have wonderful memories of my time I worked at the grocery store. Mary and Larry were great "bosses." ~ Becky Dougherty Cheyenne, WY (9/9/2013)
  • Leanne and family, we are so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. She was such a sweet lady with a great personality! God Bless you all during this difficult time. ~ Jolene & Don Haynes Philip, SD (9/9/2013)
  • Our sympathy on your loss! Reading the obit brings back fond memories of Larry and Mary and my folks--what great times they had! They're all reunited again and laughing at the good ole times! God bless you Leanne for all you've done for your mother! ~ Tom and Shelia Trask Wasta SD (9/9/2013)
  • Leanne & Mick and Families so sorry to hear of Mary's passing but we all know she is in a better place and all of us had the pleasure of knowing her for so many years. She was a treasure and everyone enjoyed her. Will miss seeing her. Our deepest sympathy. ~ Charlene & Clayton Kjerstad Wall, SD (9/9/2013)
  • Condolences to the family. We knew the family in Dupree. They were very nice people. Daughter Julie was a friend in high school but I haven't seen her in years. Jean Farlee ~ Jean Farlee Dupree, South Dakota (9/9/2013)
  • What a lady! She loved her cappuccino, she used to stop by (when she was driving) and get a cup often. Then when she moved to the Senechal, she would get her walker out and come and get a cup. Then when it got to a point that she shouldn't cross the street alone, we met her at the street and helped her across, and she appreciated it so much. When she moved to the Silver Leaf. Leanne would get her a gift card about monthly and Cindy Miller would come and get her, her daily cappuccino. Cappuccino, is how I came to know Mary. What a gem!! ~ Terri Pelle Philip, SD (9/9/2013)
  • We are so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. I have alot of fond memories of Mary, when she would come in to my shop to have coffee with the girls. We would talk about our love for our family and our dogs. God Bless you and may your cherished memories help you through this difficult time. ~ Dave & Cheryl Dick Beloit, KS (9/9/2013)
  • It has been a difficult few months for all of you. Your Mom and Grandmother is now at peace. What fun days we had at Dupree and the General Store. Your Dad and Mom were models for customer service.. They helped everyone who needed help. Julie, Jean and I had a lot of fun thinking we were pulling the " wool" over adults eyes. As I recall, Leann loved the ponies. Did she learn to ride on Trinket. Reggie is now part of our family. We can not be at the services but will be thinking of all of you and offering prayers for your healing and peace. Love from Cherie and Rod ~ Cherie Farlee Dupree SD (9/9/2013)
  • Dear Leanne and family, Mary was such a joy to all that knew her. Her little dog baby, family, faith and friends were very important to her. Over the years I have enjoyed her friendship. May God hold you in the palm of his hand as you walk through this difficult time. Matt 5:4 Blessed are those that mourn for they shall be comforted. Love & Prayers ~ Debbie & Marty Hansen Philip (9/9/2013)
  • Mary was quite a lady,I came to know her as she bought many of my crafts over the years,she always liked to visit and see loved seeing my grandson at the nursing home.So sorry its always hard to lose a mother and grandparent. ~ Pennie Slovek Philip (9/9/2013)
  • So sorry to here of the loss of your loved one. You are in my prayers. Mary was such a sweet lady and I always enjoyed visiting with her. ~ Bonnie Fitzgerald Memphis,Tn (9/9/2013)
  • Leanne, Mick & family,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss. I always enjoyed visiting with Mary. We had several visits about her little dog Baby and what good companions the little dogs are. And of course many other topics were discussed in the course of our visit. I will miss seeing her out and about with her pet. God's Blessing and comfort to you all.     ~ Carla & Virgil Smith Milesville, SD (9/9/2013)
  • Our condolences to the family. your parents where great people. Many wounderful memories. We wish we could be there. ~ Ron & Bernadette Schmidt Aberdeen, SD (9/9/2013)
  • I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom, Mary. She was such a sweet and loving lady. Prayers for strength for you at such a significant loss. ~ Roxy Formanek Hermosa SD (9/9/2013)
  • Leanne,Mick, Reggie, Mikki, Kyle and families, My sincere sympathy in the loss of your mother and grandmother. Sorry we didn't make it to the funeral. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you all. I'm sure Larry was glad to be with Mary again. Love and prayers. Jeanie, Dorothy and family. ~ Jean Lesmeister Faith, SD (9/9/2013)
  • Mick, Leanne and family,
    Our love and prayers are with you all. We enjoyed our time with Mary at your house and know that she is now at peace. So sorry that we couldn't attend the service but know that you were all in our prayers. I watched the video and it brought back many memories.
    May God Bless you all with love and memories.
    Dave and Judy Gano     ~ Dave and Judy Gano Meadow, SD (9/9/2013)