Mary Ellen Ewoldt, 96, of Rapid City, passed away on November 17, 2012 in Orange County, California. Mary, the daughter of Cy and Dorothy Van Cleve, was born July 28, 1916 in Ottumwa, South Dakota. She was preceded in death by husband, Elmer (1991); sister, Hazel Muhlbach, brothers Thomas (Newt) and Kenneth; daughter, Connie Woolley (2012); son, Charles (2007). She is survived by her son, Don Ewoldt, nine grandchildren and several great-grand children. Mary grew up in the Black Hawk and Rapid City areas, graduating from Rapid City High School in 1934. She married Elmer Ewoldt in 1936 and they subsequently celebrated 54 years of marriage. When Mary and Elmer married, they didn’t own a car, yet Mary told stories of dances in Deadwood which closed out with men’s all night card games (while the women cooked breakfast). When asked if she could recall the tough times of the Depression, she always said “in hindsight were very poor, but we didn’t really realize it, because everyone else was too.” She would recall having three young children, both Mary and Elmer having jobs and having to milk 30 cows twice a day, once before work and again, after work. She and Elmer always had a home full of people. It was common for their kids’ friends to live at Mary’s house, several even stayed for years after their own kids were gone. She always kept in touch with these folks and thought of them as her own. Mary believed in education, although she never attended beyond high school. She pushed her children to go to college, against Elmer’s wishes, especially when they had to sell a cow to pay tuition. It was Mary’s determination that saw both of her sons Don and Charles receive their college educations. Mary became the Post Master of the Piedmont Post Office in 1963, quite an accomplishment for a woman in that day. She very much enjoyed the work and the daily contact with the folks in the Piedmont area. After retirement in 1983, she was active at the Atonement Lutheran Church, both Piedmont and Canyon Lake Senior Citizens and with her sewing circle. She enjoyed visiting and playing games with friends and family. At the age of 92, Mary decided to move to Orange County, California to be closer to her family. Although she missed the hills, she enjoyed being near to her great grandchildren. Although her memory and hearing weren’t what they used to be, Mary often stated her contentment in life and would say “I couldn’t expect much more, after all I am 96 years old and I have a lot to be thankful for, there are folks that have it a lot worse.” Mary lived on her own until the end, with a little help from her family. Her son Don visited daily, sometimes two or three times a day. It is impossible to sum up a life of 96 years in an obituary. Know this; Mary was a remarkable person that lived a good life. She believed there was good in all people and she never spoke ill of anyone - she preferred others to do likewise in her company. Mary believed hard work was the key to a happy life, often stating “there is no shame in any job, as long as it is honest.” Mary was a good confidant. When asked how she kept a secret, she would reply that her secret (to keeping a secret) was she often forgot it until it was brought up again. She seldom offered definitive advice, instead believing that each person had to find their own way. Yes, Mary was a remarkable person and she will be missed.