Mary Eleanore Sjomeling passed away peacefully on August 19, 2025, at her home in Deadwood. She was born September 8, 1939, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Deadwood to Carl and Antoinette Crissy Eilers, the little sister to three older brothers. She attended St. Ambrose school and was proud to be a member of the Deadwood Bears high school class of 1957.

Mary married Robert Sjomeling August 15, 1957, and together they raised seven children in Deadwood, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and Rapid City. A lifelong Catholic, Mary's quiet, unshakeable faith, spirit of service, and unending kindness were evident to all who knew her and even to those she only just met. A smile and greeting from her could brighten anyone's day!

She provided daycare for many children through the years, making for an unusually lively and happy home environment. Her calm and upbeat temperament set the tone, the one rule being, to eat the crust of your sandwich.

While in Rapid City, Mary welcomed new residents to town through New Neighbors and worked in the office at St. Elizabeth Seton School. She cherished her time at Seton, where she made many lifelong friends.

After she and Bob returned to Deadwood, she loved her job at the Celebrity Hotel, greeting guests and visitors for nineteen years, and creating a large new group of friends. She was named Employee of the Year by the City of Deadwood in 2014. Another joy was being a member of the Deadwood Bag Ladies.

Mary is survived by her husband of 68 years, Robert Sjomeling of Deadwood; her brother, Vincent Eilers of Mendota Heights, Minnesota; children, Catherine (Eric) Vath of Lincoln, Nebraska, R. Mark (Lili) Sjomeling of Lead, South Dakota, Daniel (Shaunna) Sjomeling of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, Mary Ann (Hank) Thiess of Virginia and Colorado, Christin Sjomeling of Deadwood, and Stacie (Brock) Mittleider of Chadron, Nebraska; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Sarah (Tim), John, Benjamin, Gianna, and Ryan Donner, Rob (Jenna), Jack Sjomeling, Adam (Hollie), Charlie and Oliver Vath, Danielle (Shane), Evelyn, Thomas, Clara, Jane, and Elouise Erickson, Anna (Cody), Maren Dunham, Maura (Riley), Vincent and Finley Rabe, Carlynn (Kipp), Howard, Marshall, and Maeve Williams, Mikaela Thiess, Madalyn Thiess, and Cameron Mittleider. She is also survived by cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends beyond number.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Carl Eilers, Jr. and Albert Eilers; son, Carl Arne Sjomeling; great grandson, Rowan Rabe, and cousin Andre Silva. The family wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation for the care Mary received from the caregivers and staff at Lead-Deadwood Hospital and from Heartland Hospice.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 24 from 4 to 6pm, followed by a vigil service at 6pm. Mass of Christian Burial will take place Monday, August 25 at 10am. All services will take place at St. Ambrose Church, Main St, Deadwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Ambrose Church. Arrangements in care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Home of Spearfish.