Mary Dappen

Funeral services for Mary Dappen were held on July 28, 2025, in Mitchell, followed by a graveside service at Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Mary was born on June 16, 1936, the first child of Louie Henry and Sophie Pauline (Svoboda) Matucha at their farm near Burke, SD. Czech was the native language spoken in her home, so Mary didn’t learn English until she started first grade at Rambrandt Country School. She later attended Burke High School. Mary discovered the family bible on a closet shelf at age 12 and began reading. Through listening to “Back to the Bible” children’s programs and later through her relationship with her mother-in-law, Rosetta, she came to faith in Jesus.

In 1951, she married Wesley Dappen. They farmed and raised their four children on the family homestead near Lucas. She was always proud of being a homemaker and living on the farm.

She loved hosting family and friends around her kitchen table and at outdoor picnics.

Mary was an active member of the Lucas Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School, participating in the Women’s Auxiliary, and attending services and bible studies. She was a 4-H leader, where she was able to pass on her love of homemaking, sewing, cooking, gardening, and farming to the younger generation. She was a member of the Farmers Union and Gregory County Home Extension for over 45 years.

Wes and Mary spent the winter months in Harlingen, TX, where they had a home for 35 years and made many life-long friends and memories.

After 50 years of farming, they sold the family farm and retired to Lincoln, NE. After Wesley’s death in 2010, Mary moved to Mitchell, SD, for her remaining years, where she attended Reunion Church.

Mary was known for her generosity, looking for ways to extend friendship. She would brighten someone’s day by sharing photos and news clippings and by finding common connections. She was outgoing and loved meeting people.

Mary Matucha Dappen, age 89, passed away on July 23, 2025, in Mitchell, SD. She is survived by her children, Dr. Robert (Cindy) Dappen of Tempe, AZ, and their children, Becky Wright, Jackie, Clancy, and Luke; Shirley Olson of Louisville, KY, and her children, Neleigh and Ethan; Dorene Hoffie of Pierre, SD; and Joette (Jon) Loos of Lincoln, NE, and their children, Noah and Annie; great-grandchildren Elliot and Iris Clancy, Violet and Zoey Wright, and Bruna and Oliver Dappen; sisterin- law, Lavina Frey Matucha; brothers-in-law Luther Dappen and Glen Dappen; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley; her parents; brother Louie; sister Louise Matucha; son-in-law Calvin Hoffie; granddaughter Lindsay Olson; brothers-in-law Joseph Theodore “Ted” Dappen and Lester Dappen; sisters-in-law Beverly Dappen Jacobsen, Margaret Dappen, Harriet Dappen, and Barbara Dappen.