Mary Rita Opstedahl passed away November, 2nd, 2025, with her husband by her side at Belle Estate Assisted Living Facility, and in the care of the great staff where she lived the last five months of her life.

Mary was born April 11th, 1953, to George and Doris Snow of Huron, SD, the middle child of three girls. She was her dad's biggest helper from a young age, assisting him with different projects around the house.

Mary went to grade school at St. Martin's Parish School in Huron, finishing in 1967, then to Huron High School where she graduated in 1971. She was unsure exactly what she wanted to pursue after high school, but her parents urged her to attend college and become something!  She started by pursuing an education degree in Yankton and worked at a nursing home while attending college. It was this experience that led her to the realization that she wanted to be a nurse.  With the blessing of her parents, she transferred to nursing school in Pierre, SD, and completed her LPN.

Mary loved helping people and it was her calling! She moved to Spearfish and began working for Dr. Richard King as his Dental Assistant. Then, she moved further into her chosen career path in nursing by joining the clinic in Belle Fourche. During this time, she was introduced to the man that would later become her husband. She married John Opstedahl in 1981, and with that a blended family was formed. Though there were struggles in the beginning, she loved John's sons, Jon and Micheal, like they were her own! With the birth of their baby boy, Adam, the family was complete in 1983.

She was a nurse in family practice early in her career and later transferred to nursing home care, sticking with that path until retirement in 2015. She and John were then able to start their "snow bird" life at Happy Trails in Arizona for 10 years.  Mary would always say that enjoying time with her grandkids was the thing she looked forward to most, but she did enjoy the warmer winters down south!

Mary loved the outdoors, camping, biking, skiing, golf, and fishing. Though she didn't necessarily care for the boat rides, she loved going on fishing trips and reading a book.  Family trips to Canada, Colorado, Minnesota, and Florida were a highlight of her life.

She enjoyed mowing the lawn in the summertime, and beautifying her yard with flower beds and landscaping, but most of all she loved her family, and would do anything she could for her boys.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, George and Doris, multiple aunts and uncles, as well as her best friend, Teresa Batt.

She is survived by her husband, John and their three boys: Jon (DeeAnna), Mike, and Adam (Libby), also her very special "extra kid", Amy Houstan! Grandchildren: Gabriel, Gregory, Kayleigh, Ryder, Emily, and Jude; her sisters: Lynne Carlson and Ann Snow, as well as multiple nieces and nephews, and the vast number of family members near and far.

A memorial visitation for Mary will be on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 5pm, with Vigil to follow at 6pm, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 11am, with luncheon to follow at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate a donation to the Spearfish Senior Center, St. Jude, Shriners Hospital, or the Alzheimer's Association.

Arrangements are entrusted to Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels of Spearfish. Condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com