Funeral services for Mary Ann Sjomeling 87 formerly of Mound City, SD will be Wednesday at 10:30 AM at the Pollock Lutheran Church in Pollock, SD. Pastor Ramona Hayes officiating. Burial will be in the Kvernes Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. A prayer service will be held Tuesday at 7:00 PM at the Church Visitation will begin at 6:00 PM. Mrs. Sjomeling passed away October 30, 2015 at the Hallmark Care Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Mary Ann Sjomeling (Backhaus) was born September 21, 1928 to Martin and Lois (Yeater) in Emmons County, ND. She grew up on a farm 10 miles NW of Pollock and attended a country school in North Dakota. She attended Pollock High School and graduated in 1947.
Glenn Sjomeling and Mary Ann were wed on June 16, 1950 and together they had two sons and two daughters; Glenn Martin Jr. Sharon Kay, Jeanne Lynne and Olaf Ray. They began their married life farming south of Pollock raising cattle, pigs, chickens and grain. After a farming accident, Glenn moved on to ASCS manager, Mary Ann stayed on the farm until they decided to move to Pollock in. Mary Ann owned and operated the Pocasse Drive Inn for three summers and because she loved it, they decided to sell the drive inn in Pollock and purchase the café in Herreid. She spent those years working countless hours preparing and serving homemade baked goods and daily specials including her famous baked chicken. In 1972, they moved to Mound City where they lived until Glenn's death in September of 2002.
Mary Ann's great loves were her children and grand children. She especially loved supporting them in their sporting endeavors and became an enthusiast of all local, college and professional sports. She found great enjoyment in attending Pollock and Campbell County sports events. She was also an avid card player and game player. Pinochle and gin rummy were a staple for family gatherings and she delighted annihilating her opponents in Triple Yahtzee. Her grandchildren loved visiting and spent weeks in the summers in Mound City.

There was a generous streak made evident in Mary Ann's acts of kindness. The Ronald McDonald House benefitted from what must have come to hundreds of thousands of pop can tops over the years. Friends and family members were always welcome and some of those spent months to years living with and loving them.

Mary Ann is survived by her brothers Leo (Jeanne) of Belle Fourche, SD and Larry of Vale, SD. Her children, Glenn Sjomeling Jr. and friend Barbara Erickson of West Concord, Sharon Sjomeling of Pollock, SD, Jeanne Mathews (Michael) of Sioux City, IA and Olaf Sjomeling (Jennifer) of Rapid City, SD. Grandchildren Wade Sjomeling, Amber Sjomeling, Carrie Neumiller, Andrea Woods, Brooke Smith, Darby JoLee and Jordan Delaney. Great Grandchildren Emma Woods, Michael Woods, Bevin Woods, Killian Woods, Piper Woods, Josie Smith, Quentin Smith and Cannon Glenn Smith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, an infant brother Donald, three sisters, Charlotte, Laura Mae and Delores, niece Patty Engel, nephew Bruce Lovik and special nephew Clinton Sjomeling.

Thank you to family members and friends who stayed in touch and assisted in her care. She was deeply grateful. Also, a special Thank You to the Golden Living Center in Mobridge and the Hallmark Care Center in Sioux City, IA.