Mary Ellen Bouza

CLERGY
Rev. Gregory Way
MUSIC
Organist ~ Ruby Dewald
Soloist ~ Katie Winckler
“Homeward Bound”
Special Music by LeAndra Mogck
Congregational Hymns
“In the Garden”
“Rock of Ages”
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
All of Mary’s Grandchildren, Great-
Grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews
CASKETBEARERS
Mark Reischl
Craig Winckler
Charlie Winckler
Michael Bouza
Ryan Bouza
Jacob Bouza
Jake Johnson
Mary Ellen Bouza was born on Sunday, December 12, 1937 at Tripp, South Dakota to Henry and Beatha (Schelske) Haeffner. She attended Maag Country School through the 8th grade and graduated from Tripp High School in 1955. Some of her favorite memories from her younger years include going for rides with Evelyn, Marjorie, Sylvia and Sally in Mary’s 1946 Chevy affectionately named, “Emma.” Mary met Ray Bouza at Rest Haven in Lake Andes, where they spent many hours roller skating. They were united in marriage on August 26, 1958 at Tripp. Mary was a farm wife during the years that she and Ray farmed, and she managed Cookie’s Bar for 11 years. She also worked at the Sport Bowl for 5 years, the laundry department at the Tripp Good Samaritan Center for 5 years, and several times at the Tripp Creamery over the years. She was the first woman schoolbus driver for the Tripp School, which she did for three years. Mary enjoyed spending time outdoors, and she and Ray went fishing anytime they could. She enjoyed attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities. Mary will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. They were members of the United Methodist Church in Tripp for many years until its recent closing, when they became members of Frieden’s Reformed Church. Due to failing health, Mary became a resident at the Good Samaritan Society of Tripp in January of 2009, and it is there that she passed away on Friday, May 14, 2010, having attained the age of 72 years, 5 months and 2 days.
Mary’s memory will be cherished by her husband, Ray, of Tripp; four children: Daniel (Renee) Bouza of Yankton, Joseph (Rhonda) Bouza of Scotland, Diane (Tim) Eichstadt of Norfolk, Nebraska, and Donald (Jenny) Bouza of Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren: Sara, Ryan, Jacob, Angie, Josie, Megan, Holly, Michael and Joe; six great-grandchildren; two sisters: Doris Schneider of Tripp and Diane Horvath of Sioux Falls; and a sister-in-law, Alice Haeffner of Tripp.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by a brother, Eldon Haeffner, a sister, Virginia Oorlog, and two brothers-in-law, Hank Oorlog and Eldon Schneider.