Adelaide Mayer

Adelaide Mayer


Dates

July 20, 1918 - September 9, 2024

Obituary

Adelaide Mayer, 106, passed away Monday, September 9, 2024, in Baltimore, MD. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Friday, November 8, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 6:30 PM prayer service.

A livestream of Adelaide’s Funeral Mass can be viewed at: https://www.mitchellcatholic.org/whats-new/livestream

Regina Adelaide Mayer was born July 20, 1918, on a farm near Parkston, SD, she was the youngest of eleven children in the Joseph and Adelheid (Ruettgers) Friedrich family.

How does one even begin to describe such an amazing woman who lived to be 106! In a few words, she was a woman ahead of her time, defying expectations of a wife and mother.

Mother of eight children, Adelaide managed a household as well as a successful family business, City Printers. She and husband Lawrence B. Mayer equally shared roles and responsibilities, setting an example for all, but for their four daughters and four sons foremost.

Of strong German heritage, Adelaide was a woman of conviction and purpose. Smart and incredibly well-read, she kept abreast of news and current events, local, state and national. Almost to the very end, her special daily passion was watching the PBS News Hour.

Engaging, never hesitant to express an opinion, Adelaide could firmly but gently take issue with one’s point of view, or behavior for that matter. Still, for all her adherence to principle and decorum, she was compassionate, understanding, and above all kind and loving.

Adelaide was a woman of strong faith and truly enjoyed life, especially time with her children, grandchildren (21) and great grandchildren (38). They were thrilled to be with her, too, particularly if it involved a game of cards or Scrabble, the latter she invariably won with an obscure two-letter word, one being “q.”

She was an excellent seamstress, and late in life, worked at G.F. Buche Co. in Mitchell, assisting customers in buying fabrics and patterns. She loved to shop herself, for scarves and hats in particular, always interested in the latest fashion and stylishly dressed.

While not without hardship, her life was well lived. No regrets. Well, perhaps one or two. After seeing a film about U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Adelaide remarked, “I should have been a lawyer.” She had also expressed an interest in going to college. She embodied the ideal that ordinary people are capable of the extraordinary.

Her marriage to Larry, their 35 years together and the joy of their children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren, all of this is nothing short of extraordinary. They met in a Parkston cafe. He had just arrived from Ipswich to work at the Parkston Advance as a columnist and printer. The year was 1941. They were married on October 9 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

In time, they settled in Mitchell, where Larry and a colleague started City Printers. Adelaide worked at the shop. In 1960, Larry and Adelaide became sole proprietors. In 1967, City Printers merged with Mitchell Printing. Adelaide left and went to work at G.F. Buche Co. Larry remained with Mitchell Printing, in charge of production. He retired due to poor health in 1972. With more time together, they traveled, visiting their children. On April 23, 1976, he died of cancer at 65.

When she lived in Mitchell, a small, decorative plate hung on a kitchen wall with the following inscription: This is my house and I do as I darn please. The same is true of the life she lived. That became abundantly clear at a family wedding in Annapolis, Maryland on April 16, 2016.

To everyone’s surprise, she decided not to return home to Mitchell. Rather, she chose to remain in Baltimore and reside with her daughter Martha. Adelaide’s eldest son, James, also was living near Baltimore. The wedding in Annapolis was that of his son, Jeff, and Rachael Caruso.

Alone in Mitchell, she had outlived many of her friends and family members. She wanted more in the remaining years of her life. Her decision to do as she pleased and live in Baltimore was probably the best thing for her, adding years to her life.

Adelaide spent her remaining years visiting museums and art galleries, attending concerts, dining in restaurants, the Marie Louise Bistro was her favorite. With house cat sweet Alice her constant companion, she read, worked puzzles, and napped. Refreshed, she would visit restaurants managed by Martha’s husband, Paul Dougherty. Once there, she would arrange flower settings. Nobody did it better.

A member of Saint Ignatius Catholic Church in Baltimore, she regularly attended Sunday Mass when able. Sag Harbor vacations also proved good for the soul. Best of all by far was time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren in the Baltimore area.

Adelaide is survived by her eight children: Martha (Paul) Dougherty, Jim (Susan) Mayer, Paula (Bob) Giesey, Joy (Dick) Jones, Jeanne (Al) Johnson, Steve (Linda) Mayer, Gregg (Suzanne) Mayer, and Joe (Karen) Mayer; 21 grandchildren, and 38 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 10 siblings, husband Lawrence Bernard Mayer and granddaughter Katharine Jordan Kaplan.

The family wishes to thank all who cared for Adelaide at Stella Maris in Lutherville-Timonium, hospice nurse Lisa Ballard in particular. Special thanks as well to Karen DeHart, her Stella Maris roommate, a great source of comfort, one to another, in their 18 months together.

A final note: Adelaide enjoyed dining by candlelight, and at evening’s end, she delighted in blowing out the candles. Taking one in hand, she would draw hearts, circles, whatever came to mind, with the smoke ascending from the extinguished flame.

Blow out your candle, Adelaide, and ascend to your new home in heaven, for surely this is pleasing to God.

Suggested charitable donations in memory of Adelaide:

• Justice & Peace Ministry, St. Ignatius Catholic Community, The Jesuit Church of Baltimore, 740 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. stignatius.net/justice-peace

• Stella Maris in Lutherville-Timonium, 2300 Dulaney Valley Road, Timonium, MD 21093. stellamaris.org/donate

• Holy Family Catholic Church, 222 North Kimball, Mitchell, SD 53701 mitchellcathoic.org/ministries/giving


Visitation(s)

Date
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Time
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location
6:30 PM Prayer Service

Bittner Funeral Chapel
805 W Havens Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301

Service

Date
Friday, November 8, 2024
Time
10:30 AM
Location
Holy Family Catholic Chruch
222 N Kimball St
Mitchell, SD 57301

Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery
Mitchell, SD


Posted by Mary Catherine Gauer on November 2, 2024
Sincere sympathy to all. You were lucky to have her all those years.
I remember coming to Letcher to help with you kids. We used to go over to the school grounds so you could play. …your dad (Karry) bringing the girls to my wedding….I remember Joy wanting to dance with Keriy. All the fun at St.James Hotel .
Posted by Mrs. Carroll Bourrillion on November 2, 2024
(Adelaide) certainly lived an interesting and long life! She’s the last Aunt on both sides of the family.
Posted by Telfair and Walker on November 2, 2024
Adelaide is in heaven! We are so lucky to have met her. We talked about her being 106 years OLD! (And not calling her old and not being old). Her picture(s) are so pretty! You are loved, See you soon,
Tekfair (8) Walker (12). Baltimore apartment neighbors of A
Posted by Judy Grant on November 2, 2024
Adeline sported an aging journey that I found myself deeply admiring. I always found (her) to be curious, non-judgmental. Determined, deliberate,honorable. Her humor and her presence always stimulated me. We always laughed.With gratitude, Adeline became my oldest friend.

(Vera was Judy’s mom, Vera was A’s best friend)
Posted by Sheila (Lalley) Palmier on November 2, 2024
I have such fond memories of Adelaide and your dad(Larry).
She was a woman way ahead of her time—absolutely amazing in her accomplishments. She did everything with patience and dignity and love, and will be missed.
PS: She’ll be a hit in heaven!

Shelia - Tempe, Az
Posted by Spence and Kathy Gross on November 2, 2024
We send our sympathies to all at the passing of Adelaide.
She was a wonderful lady and great neighbor.
Posted by Arbutus Hanson Winter on October 23, 2024
I worked with Adelaide at Buche's. She was not only great to work with but a great friend.
Posted by Gary Riecke on October 17, 2024
Some of my most fond memories were the years I spent at City Printers. I had just graduated from high school and the lady at the employment office sent me to City Printers because I had a printing background. What a wonderful experience, I was only 17 and Larry and Adelaide took me in and taught me with tons of kindness and patience. A few years later I married and they treated my new wife with kindness and respect. The Mayer kids all worked at the shop and they became friends. I still remember Adelaide and Larry with fond memories. They were responsible for all of my success in my printing career. May God give her a peaceful spot in heaven.
Posted by Brian Frain, S.J. on October 14, 2024
I enjoyed my visits with Adelaide. Frankly, I was surprised how much she enjoyed the little angel ornaments made by our Religious Education students at Christmas for our Senior Parishioners. I hope the actual angels are even more beautifully enchanting for you, Adelaide!
Posted by Michele (Roby) Bittner on September 29, 2024
The obituary is a beautiful snopsis and tribute about "Mrs. Mayer". I was always jealous of the beautiful clothes (even winter coats) she made for Paula (my classmate ) and her daughters (maybe even for the boys). When we moved back to Mitchell I would frequently chat with her after Mass. She was so kind. I was sad when she moved but after reading the above obituary I see how joyous it was for her.
Posted by Paula Giesey on September 28, 2024
Love you Mom! Glad you’re with Jesus! Your life was a testimony that He is alive!
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