Funeral services with military honors for Mary L. Hunter of Ardmore, South Dakota will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 1:00 PM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Chadron with Rev. Peter Bertram officiating. Burial will be at Duck Creek Cemetery, Ardmore, SD. Mary L. Hunter, 94 of Chadron, NE died Wednesday, December 4 at Regional West Hospital, Scottsbluff, NE. She was born October 19, 1919 to Carl Edward Bergquist and Ana Wilson Martinez Bergquist in Manila, Philippine Islands. As a young girl she lived in Guam; Shanghai, China and Hankow, China attending British or Parochial boarding schools. In 1934, she and her family moved to Santa Rosa, CA. In 1936, she graduated from Santa Rosa High School as valedictorian of her class. She then attended the University of CA- Berkeley, graduating in 1940 with a math and history degree, and then in 1941 she received a teaching degree. She taught at Dos Palos, CA and Daly City, CA until joining the U.S. Navy Waves on July 19, 1944. She achieved the rank of Ensign and was honorably discharged on June 18, 1946. On May 17, 1947 she married John W. (Jack) Hunter Jr. in Santa Rosa CA. The couple moved near Ardmore, SD where they ranched for over 50 years. In 1956, Mary went back to her love of teaching and taught at Oelrichs, SD, Provo High School at Igloo SD and Edgemont SD High School, before retiring in 1974. Many of her past students attribute their success in life to Mary’s teaching abilities. After Mary retired from teaching she and her husband, Jack, operated Jack Hunter Sound, an outdoor sound company, traveling to hundreds of fairs and rodeos, where Mary was always known for her hospitality, taking pleasure cooking or caring for all who passed by their traveling home. Mary and Jack were selected as Pioneer Couple of the Year in 1999 for their dedicated services to High School Rodeo. Mary was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, P.E.O., American Legion and Waves National WIMSA.
She is survived by her son, John C. (Jack) Hunter (Laurel) Crawford, NE; Grandchildren Kristen (Robert) Ferguson, Gordon, NE; Ross (Trisha) Hunter Ardmore, SD; Alicia (Rich Robertson) Hunter, Crawford, NE; Great grandchildren Robin Ferguson, Reann Ferguson, Tristan Hunter, Ashley Hunter, Jack Hunter, Allison Owens and Hunter Owens. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack, and her brothers Edward and Ted.
The family suggests memorials to P.E.O. Chapter AX for local women’s educational scholarships. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337
Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com
Chamberlain Chapel is in charge of arrangements.