Mary Jane Scherschligt, age 84, of Alpena, SD, passed away suddenly on Friday, August 4, 2017, at the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell, SD, surrounded by her family.

Celebrations of Mary Jane's life will be held as follows.  Her mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at St. Wilfrid's Catholic Church in Woonsocket, SD, with burial at the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Huron, SD.

Visitation, with the family present, will be from 5-6:45 PM on Monday, August 7, at St. Wilfrid's Catholic Church in Woonsocket, with a Rosary to begin at 6:45 PM and a prayer service to follow at 7:00 PM or visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Mary Jane Pekas, was born on Oct 17, 1932, in Yankton, SD, to Joseph and Josephine (Vyborny) Pekas. Mary Jane attended Lesterville grade school, graduated from Scotland High School, and attended Mount Marty College in Yankton.

Mary Jane married Ray Scherschligt on June 7, 1951, in Lesterville, and they moved to Alpena, SD.  She taught vocal music for two years in the Alpena school. In 1962, she started work at the Bank of Alpena and was employed there for 44 years.

Always believing in being active in her community, Mary Jane was a parishoner of St. Wilfrid's Catholic Church where she was also a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. Mary Jane was also a member of the Alpena American Legion Auxiliary, where she served as President, Secretary, and Treasurer for many years.  Mary Jane was the Department of South Dakota American Legion Auxiliary Music Chairman for four years and served one year as Department Chaplain.  She sang and was part-time director of the Dakota Harmony Barbershop Chorus.  She was secretary and treasurer for South Dakota Girls State and treasurer of the Alpena Community Center.  Mary Jane loved life, music, singing, and dancing.

Thankful for her life were her husband, Ray; children Mark (Karen) Scherschligt, Brooklyn Park, MN, and Karen (Tim) Harrington, Mitchell, SD; five grandchildren, Brian Scherschligt, Kristie (Jeff) Sargent, Melanie (Ben) Johnson, MaryAnne (Cody) Dimak, and Isaac (Marissa Gaskill) Harrington; brother, Joe (Kay) Pekas and many nieces and nephews. She was a proud Grandma Great to Keely, Mali, and Kellen Sargent and Hayden Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her parents J.A. Pekas and Josephine E. Pekas and her sister and brother-in-law Clarence and Josephine M. Vitek.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Wilfred's Church and/or Mount Marty College.