Mary Catherine Jiricek

Mary Catherine Jiricek, 74, passed away March 24, 2015, at Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Mary was born in Lake Andes, SD, on May 5, 1940, to John and Eldora Osienger.Her family farmed in the Bonesteel, Geddes and Fairfax areas. She attended high school in Lake Andes and Pickstown. For part of her childhood, she lived with her grandmother, Mary Branch, who was very dear to her and from whom she learned many domestic skills.Mary married William (Bill) Jiricek on September 7, 1958. Together, they had three daughters, and lived in several communities throughout Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, and Montana as they followed Bill?s career in the education field. Mary was a devoted and creative homemaker who enjoyed nurturing both her own family and every guest they welcomed. Mary had a knack for interior decorating and took great joy in turning each new house the family filled on their various moves into a beautiful home. Mary also loved transforming her yards into beautiful gardens, with flowers and greenery of all kinds.In her spare time, Mary loved playing cards and several other kinds of games, and enjoyed healthy doses of friendly competition. She was also a gifted artist. For many years, she attended craft fairs around the area with Bill, and together, they would sell her works.By far, Mary?s greatest pride and joy was her family and dear friends. She was a tremendously loving and caring woman who always looked forward to having her family together, and she went out of her way to make these times memorable by preparing delicious foods, planning special activities for the children, and including games that everyone could enjoy. Mary looked at her role as a grandparent as one of the greatest gifts of her life, creating special moments with each grandchild and great-grandchild, helping with their care, and attending a myriad of their events and activities with pleasure. She took great comfort in knowing she had passed her family values on successfully to those she left behind.Mary believed greatly in the power of a positive outlook on life. She understood the importance of finding the best in every person and situation. After her terminal cancer diagnosis, she bravely chose to keep living every day to its fullest, continuing to set goals for the future. Remarkably, she achieved most of those goals with joy while surrounded by love. She truly showed her family and friends how to fight the good fight; she was so thankful for the outpouring of hope and support from those who touched her life during her illness.Grateful for having shared her life are her three daughters and sons-in-law: Gayle and Robert Funk, Brandon, SD, Pamela and Larry Menning, Chamberlain, SD, and Jan and Kirk Zeeck, Sioux Falls, SD; seven grandchildren: Lori Gottman, Julie Funk, Chadwick Menning, Trenton (Kelly) Menning, Leah (Bryan) Broussard, Morgan Zeeck, Samantha Zeeck; three great-grandchildren: Brandon Gottman, Katelynn Gottman, and William Broussard; six siblings: John Osienger, Barb Miller, Leone Sizemore, James (Elsie) Osienger, Thomas Osienger, Timothy (Deanna) Osienger; and countless cousins, nieces, nephews and long-time friends, all of whom were uniquely dear to Mary. She was preceded in death by her husband, William, her parents, a sister, Patricia, and an infant sibling.Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 am Saturday, March 28, 2015 at St. Therese Catholic Church, Sioux Falls. Visitation will begin at 2:00pm Friday, March 27, 2015 at Heritage Funeral Home with family present from 6:00-8:00pm with a Liturgical Wake at 7:00pm. www.heritagesfsd.com