Mary Jean (Maher) Forrester

Mary Jean (Maher) Forrester, 86, of Sturgis, SD, died Tuesday October 19, 2021, at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital in Rapid City, SD.

She was born December 16, 1934, in Eagle Butte, SD to Myron and Mary (Zorc) Maher.  She graduated in 1953 from Eagle Butte High School.  After graduation, she then went on to teach at numerous Indian Reservation Schools all around South Dakota.  Her love for teaching led her to Aberdeen, SD, where she graduated from college with her teaching degree from Northern State in 1963.  After obtaining her degree, Mary taught in Gold Beach, OR, and Big Sandy, MT, prior to becoming a Wife and Mother. 

After her kids got older, Mary delivered mail from Sturgis to Howes corner for many years and she was an avid cake baker/decorator, where she got her name the “Cake Lady”.  In 1983 Mary went back to her beloved career of teaching.  She taught special education initially, then moved onto 3rd Grade, which she taught until she retired in 2000.  She especially loved making gingerbread houses with her students and enjoyed her afterschool young astronauts’ program. 

Mary was a busy lady all the time.  When she was asked how she was doing, her comment was always, “Still going!”  She went to all her kids and grandkids events, being their #1 supporter, and she was their loudest cheerleader ever. She was also active member in many groups, including Red Hats, Beta, and The Sturgis Senior Center. 

She is survived by her son Kevin (Nicole) Forrester, Sturgis; Debra Hughes, Rapid City; Darla (Matt) Burge, Sturgis; eight grandchildren, Ty, Chad, and Brooks Forrester, Jasmine Flakus, Haley Hughes, and Marlee, Jordan and Hayden Burge. 

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother Robert (Bud) Maher.