Mary (Rose) Loeffen 96, died peacefully Sunday, July 28, 2019, at home under Hospice Care, Lead, SD surrounded by her daughters, Cynthia and Kimberly.

Mary Alvina (Rose) Loeffen was born October 16, 1922, in Reliance, SD to Charles and Mary Esther (Martin) Rose. When she was 10 years old, they moved to Lead. Mary graduated from Lead High School in 1939 and then attended Spearfish Normal College and received her 2-year teaching certificate.

On March 5, 1945, Mary married Albert "Blackie" Loeffen, from Butler, Minnesota. Nine children were born from this union.

Mary was a born teacher and loved all of those she taught over the years. Before she married, she taught four years in Sturgis, SD and Glenrock, WY. The following years she was a stay at home mom but also ran the Snack Shack until it closed in 1968. She then went back to finish her degree in education. She and her daughter Mickey, graduated from Spearfish College, in 1970. Mary went on to teach at Piedmont, SD and Stagebarn, SD. Following her retirement as an elementary teacher she was in a diocesan program to become a lay minister. Mary and Maria Herbert than began a pre-school at St. Patrick's Church where she taught until she was 90 years old. She also taught CCD for many years at St, Patrick's Church in Lead.

Mary never let the dust settle under her feet. She often said there will be plenty of time to sleep in eternity. Strong in her Catholic faith she was instrumental in passing it on to her children. She loved to sew, to travel, square dance and was an avid reader. Education was so important to her that she often gifted her grandchildren with books and worked with them when they needed help in various studies.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Nancy (Loeffen) Butler, Lead, Sister Susan Marie Loeffen, Hankinson, ND, Cynthia Loeffen Allen, Lead, Stephanie (Lonny) Loeffen Mertz, Linton, ND, Kimberly Loeffen, Lead; sons, Albert (Jody) Loeffen, Red Lodge, MT and Michael (Rita) Loeffen, Sturgis; brother, George (Faith) Rose, Garden City, NY; grandchildren, Diane (Jeff) Becket Moul, Mary (Casey) Becket Barrett, Stephanie Nye, Kenny (Jeanann) Webb, Stacy Webb, Shannon (Penny) Butler, Ellen (Ron) Loeffen Plaggemeyer, David (Savannah) Loeffen, Jessee (Jill) Lorash, Sarah Lorash (JC) Giovetti, Tanner (Shannah) Loeffen, Tucker (Kaitlin) Loeffen, Marty Mertz, Kristy Mertz Kertzman, and Mindy Mertz; great-grandchildren: Adia, Annalise, and Logan Moul; Whitney, Cassidy, and Carrissa Barrett; Justin (Naomi) and Jeremy Nye; Jacqueline Webb; Brittney and Tonia Parker Butler; Kayla Billy; Jaisen Butler; Damian, Maliki, and Arianna Plaggemeyer; David Aron Loeffen Jr.; Hannah Lorash; Emylin and Alex Giovetti; Kali Joy Loeffen; Andra and Anysa Mertz, Alexis and Ashley Brown, Brently and Coltan Kertzman; Jayda Mertz and Adrik Mertz; great-great grandchildren, Quinn, Evie Reese, and Jensen Nye; Aryhia Nye; Gavin Ryker; and Dawson Haze plus numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert "Blackie" Loeffen; her parents, Charles and Mary Esther Rose; her brother, Richard Rose; sisters, Jean Ross and Esther Rose Liming; children, Margaret "Mickey" (Loeffen) Becket, and David Loeffen.

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lead. Vigil will follow at 7 PM.   Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 2, 2019 at the church with Father Leo Hausman presiding. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com