Mary Matucha

A funeral service for Mary Magdalene (Geaghan) Matucha was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 26, 2025, at Gregory United Methodist Church in Gregory, SD, with Reverand Thanael Certa-Werner officiating. Ronald Highrock accompanied the congregation on piano for several hymns. Larea Matucha and Anna Matucha were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Toby Snyder, John Carlson, Andy uryea, Quintin Bull, Tyler Plumtree, and Phil Pense. All of Mary’s grandchildren and friends were honorary casket bearers.

Interment was in the Czech Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mary Magdalene (Geaghan) Matucha was born May 5, 1947, the fifth in line and oldest daughter to Joseph and Mary (Belak) Geaghan. Mary grew up on Whittecar Avenue in Gregory SD.

Mary worked several jobs during middle school, high school, and after graduating from Gregory High School in May of 1965. She began her work career with a neighborhood paper route along with her siblings at a young age. Mary waited tables at the Corner Café, worked at Coast to Coast, as a candy striper and nurse’s aide at the hospital, as a bartender at Olson’s Bar, and also as a bookkeeper for Norwest Bank.

During those days of working, Mary met George Matucha at Olson’s Bar. George bet her she couldn’t drink him under the table, but she did. Their courtship began, and they were married on May 4, 1974, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory. To this union they were blessed with eight children. Mary was unable to work due to pregnancy, so she became a stay-at-home mom for several years.

George and Mary moved to their 80-acre farm five miles north of Burke, where they raised their family. During the summer of 1984, their youngest son, Dan Boy, had a near drowning experience which left him mentally and physically handicapped. Mary was Dan Boy’s primary caregiver until his death in November of 1990.

Mary returned to the workforce, washing dishes at the Burke Bowling Alley, as a housekeeper at Hill Crest Motel, as a caregiver at Whispering Pines and other assisted living centers in Gregory County, as a nurse’s aide at Community Memorial Hospital, and in Medical Records at Burke Medical Clinic. Her final employment was with Avera Gregory, in the dietary department. She did all this while still taking care of her family, teaching them cooking skills, the love of caring for people, and how to raise a family.

Mary was proud of her family and talked often of her kids and grandkids. She really looked forward to kids walking through the door with their families and catching up on their doings.

Mary enjoyed her many trips to Nebraska for monthly cousin get-togethers for that month of birthdays. Her brother Joe and his wife Judy invited her on couple of cruises with them. Mary had a love of meeting up with friends for coffee and getting together for lunch. She was a people person and had many friends.

Mary Matucha, 78, passed away September 21, 2025, at Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, SD.

Mary is survived by her children: son George (Devon) Matucha of Pierre, SD, and daughters Kristina (John) Carlson of Burke, SD, Amy Jo (Toby) Snyder of Martin, SD, Erin Matucha of Ankeny, IA, Ann Matucha of Pierre, SD, and Lorna (Andy) Duryea of Lexington, NE; 11 grandchildren; 11 bonus grandchildren; siblings Leo, Liz, Helen, Kathy, Agnes, Theresa, Patty, and Frank; and a long list of friends and family.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband George; oldest daughter Sarah Lynn; youngest son Dan Michael; grandson Leo Brown; her parents; brothers and sisters-in-law: Joe and Judy Geaghan, Jim and Dana Geaghan, Don and Joani Geaghan, Michael and Karen Geaghan, Kathy Geaghan, and her little brother Larry; in-law Doris and Paul Matucha; brother-in-law Dewayne Matucha; and numerous extended family members.