PIERRE, SD – Mary Louise Austad, 71, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025. There will be a Memorial Service held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Pierre, SD.

Mary Louise (Valentine) Austad was born in Pierre SD on April 14, 1953 to Ausbrand and LaVerne Valentine. She married her high school sweetheart Robert Austad on January 18, 1971. Mary graduated High school from Stanley County in May of 1971, and gave birth to her son Joseph on July 6th of that same year. On June 27th, 1972, her daughter Roberta was born.

Mary earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Secondary School Administration from the University of South Dakota. She completed the coursework for a Doctorate in Educational Administration but did not finish her dissertation.

Devoted to education, Mary worked as a music teacher, principal, and superintendent across South Dakota, including in Presho, Viborg, Stanley County, Egan, Roslyn, Montrose, Kadoka, and Java. She treasured working with many wonderful people and positively impacting countless young lives.

Mary was a kind, loving, giving and patient person. Family was central to her life, and she cherished time spent with all her loved ones. She and her sisters were all very intelligent, driven and strong-willed. None of them backed down from a challenge. Mary was relentlessly committed to the people she loved. Nothing was more important than family. She would drop everything and do anything in her power to help people. Mary did not want anyone to be alone when they were in the hospital or when they passed away. She stayed by the side of several people in her life during their final days. Faith was a cornerstone of Mary’s life. When speaking to her about problems you may be dealing with, she would offer sage advice, but… “go to church” would always be worked into that advice at some point.

Mary loved deeply and grieved deeply. The cumulative loss of loved ones over the last 10 years had a profound impact on her life, and she died of a broken heart. The world has lost a beautiful soul. She will be missed.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Ausbrand and LaVerne Valentine, husband Robert Austad, daughter Roberta Austad, older brother Verne Valentine, older sister Bernice Meyers, younger sister Colleen Skinner as well as many loved ones and dear friends.

Mary is survived by her son Joseph (Bonnie) Austad of Rapid City, her younger brother Robert (Deb) Valentine of Yankton, 6 grandchildren, her Aunt Lenore (Warren) Case of Enterprise, AL, many brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones.

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