Mary Lee Dennison

Mary Lee Dennison, age 65, of Vermillion, SD, passed away on September 15, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. The scripture service and time sharing will begin at 6 with rosary service at 6:30 p.m., on Friday, September 19, 2025 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Vermillion, SD. Memorial Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at St Agnes Catholic Church. Burial will be at Elk Point Cemetery following the luncheon.
Born October 10, 1959, to Casson L. and Joyce A. Dennison, Mary grew up between Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Hawarden and Chatsworth, before moving to Elk Point, SD. She graduated from Elk Point High School in 1978 and went on to earn her degree from the University of South Dakota.
Mary was a lifelong Catholic and a woman of deep faith, committed to the Lord in every aspect of her life. She lived as a tenacious fighter, overcoming lifelong medical challenges with resilience, and fiercely standing by her family in their times of need.
She loved her family and friends, good books, vibrant colors, traveling, and lively conversations. She especially treasured science fiction-most of all, Star Trek. To her many nieces and nephews, she was the beloved "Fairy-God Aunt," creating summers filled with adventures: museum trips, roller coasters, excursions after the Goodyear Blimp, and even creative projects like mummifying Barbie dolls.
Mary worked for many years as the Director of Religious Education at St. Agnes in Vermillion, where she shared her faith with countless families. Much of her life, however, was devoted to caring for her own family. She lived with and cared for her mother, lovingly helped raise her nieces and nephews as if they were her own children, and tenderly accompanied her brother Matt through his cancer journeys and at the end of his life.
.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Casson John and Matt; and sister Theresa. She is survived by her brothers Tim (Katherine) of St. John's, Florida, and Glenn of Elk Point; sister-in-law, Lori Dennison of North Sioux City, SD, nieces and nephews Amber (Nate) Hans of Yankton, Casson (Arianne) Dennison of Dell Rapids, Bethany (John) Hipolito of Elk Point, Will Dennison of Sioux Falls, Isaac Dennison and Benji Dennison of North Sioux City, SD, and Casson E., Joseph, Emma, John Paul, and Olivia Dennison of St. John's, Florida; 10 great-nieces and nephews; and one great-great-nephew.
.
Mary will be remembered as a woman of faith, a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, and a shining example of unconditional love.