MARY ANN BENDT, age 78, of Luverne, died Friday, November 6, 2015, at the Dougherty House Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD. She was born July 21, 1937, in Sioux Falls, SD, to Elmer and Florence (Floerchinger) Toms. She was raised in Luverne with Kenneth "Tiny" & Lucille Toms and graduated from Luverne High School in 1956.
Mary married Chester "Chet" Bendt on September 1, 1956, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. After their marriage, the couple lived in Luverne. They moved to Lead, SD in 1962 for a short time before moving back to Luverne. In 1978, the couple moved to Sioux Falls, SD where they owned & operated The OK Shoe Repair and Mary's Mending on East 8th, then East 10th and eventually on Phillips Avenue North. They returned to Luverne in the fall of 2005.
She was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne; and a former member of St. Lambert Catholic Church and St. Therese Catholic Church in Sioux Falls, SD. She enjoyed baking, crocheting, sewing, playing cards and her pets.
Mary is survived by her four children, Kathy (Lee) Hamann, Luverne; David (Doreen) Bendt, Madison, SD; Christy (Jerry) Reisch, Luverne; and Chester Bendt Jr., Luverne; nine grandchildren, Beth (Brian) Loosbrock,  Matt (Moe) Hamann, Paul Hamann; Zach (Theresa) Bendt, Danny Bendt,  Jesse (Cori) Reisch,  Stephanie, (Byron) Gilliland, Natalie Reisch and Abby Reisch; ten great grandchildren, Mya, Mason & Harper Loosbrock, Kamryn Bendt, Jaden Reisch, Makenzi & Luke Reisch, Elleigh & Boyd Gilliland; and baby Hamann; brother, Bill (Judy) Toms, Johnston, IA; two sisters, Carol Mulder, Canton, SD; and Sharon (Dennis) Rypkema, West Point, GA; and many nieces & nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer & Florence Toms; and Tiny & Lucille Toms; husband, Chet Bendt, on October 25, 2013; and a brother, Dennis Toms.
Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Tuesday, with parish prayers at  6:30 pm, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne; and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Funeral Mass will be 1 PM Wednesday at St. Catherine Catholic Church, in Luverne officiated by Fr. Thomas Jennings. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Lung Association or the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.
To view an online obituary, sign a virtual register book, or order flowers, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com

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