Mary Ann Nelson

Mary Ann Nelson was born April 11, 1931 to Mary (Provost) and Norval Moore in Martin, SD where she attended Grade School and High School. In December 1948, she married Paul Nelson and from this union 4 children were born, Terry, Kristine (Candi), Richard (Dick), and Lori.
They owned and operated the Inland Theatre in Martin, SD for many years. Later in life, they bought and operated the Allen Store in Allen, SD for 28 years. After retirement, they lived out their lives southwest of Martin, SD.
Mary Ann loved to bowl and was an excellent bowler, she loved to play golf, travel, play card games, and do crossword puzzles. She really loved her family, especially her grandkids, great grandkids, all of her many friends, her animals, and the music of Tom Jones. She was always there to help in times of need. She was a kind and gentle spirit who had a unique sense of humor, a bubbly and infectious laugh, and treated everyone like she wanted to be treated, with dignity and respect. She loved the Native American people and was extremely proud of her Native American Heritage and like everybody's mother, she was one of a kind and will be missed to the end of our days.
Mary is survived by her children, Terry Nelson, Kristine "Candi" Schmit, Richard "Dick" Nelson, and Lori Marie Nelson; grandchildren, Stacey Dawn Locchi and Tyce Nelson; great grandchildren, Jayme Whipple, Danny Whipple, Alison Crook, Brandon Shandor, Teren Shandor, Holly Stehlik, Julian Scheutzow, Abel Bettelyoun, Kaspyr Nelson, Alexandria Nelson, and Maverick Nelson; and great-great grandchild, Acelynn Shandor.
Mary was preceded in death by her spouse, Paul R. Nelson; parents, Norval and Mary (Provost) Moore; sisters, Norma Jackson and Donna Gilstrap; brothers, Henry "Bumps" Moore, Norval "Buckshot" Moore, and Pat Kelly; granddaughter, Shawn Marie Johnson.
Pallbearers will be Danny Whipple, Terry Nelson, Julian Scheutzow, and Tyce Nelson.
Honorary pallbearers will be the All Friends & Relatives
Funeral Service: 10:00 AM, Friday, November 21, 2025 at the New Martin American Legion Hall in Martin, SD
Officiating: Minister Mona Vocu
Burial Services: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Martin, SD
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD