Mae A. Hanscom

1930 - 2025

Mae A Hanscom

May 5, 1930 - April 20, 2025

Mae Ardis Hanscom, age 94, peacefully went home to be with Jesus on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 at Touchmark at All Saints in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She formerly resided in Rapid City.

Mae was born on May 5, 1930 in Worthing, South Dakota to George and Bertha (Huset) Knutson. She was the oldest of three children with her younger siblings Nola and Donald. Mae was joined in marriage to her husband, Gaylen Richard Hanscom, on June 19, 1953.

Mae worked for many decades at Northwestern Bell Telephone company, which she affectionately called "Ma Bell," before retiring.

Mae never grew weary of countless hours of traveling back and forth across the state to see her family in Sioux Falls. She also enjoyed traveling with her good friends throughout the United States. Mae was an excellent hostess and thorough tour-guide of all the sights and landmarks of Rapid City to all her family and guests ever eager to bring them to the area attractions. She knew all the best places to go see and was genuinely excited to share them with her loved ones.

There was never a holiday that Mae was not prepared for, with specific coordinating outfits and décor she celebrated them all. Always ever-so thoughtful, Mae never let a birthday or holiday go by without sending a special card. She maintained her festive spirit even through the final years of her life, ensuring that every special day was treated as such.

Animals had a special place in Mae's heart. She enjoyed both training and showing dogs of all different breeds in her earlier years. She loved and cared for many of her own pets throughout her life, too numerous to list. Her last beloved pet, her cat Koko, was always at her side.

Mae was charitable and valued giving back to others. She spent her life volunteering and in service to others, including at her long-time church, Trinity Lutheran Church in Rapid City where she served and taught Sunday School. She also volunteered at the hospital for years, Rapid City Kennel Club, the Eagles, Pioneers, and numerous other organizations, receiving awards for her faithfulness to volunteering.

Mae is survived by her niece, Vicki (Alan) Greene; her nephew, Bryon Reynolds; her great-nieces, BJ (Zach) Pramann, Sarah Greene, Rachelle (Josh) Brewer, and Michaela Reynolds; her great-great- nieces and nephew, Shade, Kyera, Taylie, Alayah and Hunter; and numerous other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Bertha Knutson; her husband, Galyen; her brother, Donald; her sister, Nola (Dean) Reynolds; and her niece, Lorelie Reynolds.