Mary Ann Anker

Mary Ann (England) Anker, 95, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026 at her apartment in Rapid City, South Dakota. Mary was born on February 8, 1931 to Harold "Buzz" and Florence Ann (Miller) England at Mitchell, South Dakota. Her father was the business manager and accountant for the R.P. England Grading Construction Company and for the first 10 years of her life she travelled to various job sites in Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota.

In the early 1940's, the family returned to Murdo, South Dakota, where she attended school until her high school graduation in 1949. On June 10, 1950, she married Leonard Anker and they made their home on a farm north of Murdo. They had three children. While at this farm, she taught at the Harrington School in rural Jones County.  

In 1959 they moved to a new farm house, and while there Mary worked at the Okaton State Bank for a few years. Thereafter they purchased a home in Murdo where she operated a ceramics shop called Mary's Mud Hut. They purchased the Zoart Motel in Murdo, renamed to the Anchor Inn, and while Leonard farmed, Mary ran the motel. 

Mary followed her father's footsteps and served on the school board for a while, and helped break ground for the new Murdo High School. After the sale of the motel, Mary managed the Tee Pee Restaurant in Murdo. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Murdo and was active in various church organizations. She and Leonard spent several winters in Arizona and travelled to Mexico and Hawaii. While vacationing Mary took up painting and shared many paintings with family and sold some of her paintings.

In 1989 they purchased a house in Rapid City. Leonard would travel back and forth to the farm and Mary kept herself active with making stained glass, paper machete, soaps, neck coolers, and quilting. Quilting occupied a majority of her free time and she was proud of making quilts which were donated to various charities. She also enjoyed watching NFL football.

Those grateful for having shared her life are her two sons, Guy Anker, Murdo, Stan (Bonnie) Anker, Rapid City, and her daughter, Lauri Brigham, Scottsdale, Arizona; grandchildren Stanton (Amber) Anker, Rapid City, and Amanda (Kane) Diers, Summerset, South Dakota; seven great grandchildren, Mason, Abigail, Calla, Makenzie, Alexis, Isla and Kinsley; and nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, her parents, her sister Jean Jones, her brother Glenn England, and her granddaughter Amber.

A celebration of life will be held at Kirk Funeral Home, 1051 E. Minnesota Street, Rapid City, South Dakota, on March 28, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. A memorial service will be held in her hometown of Murdo, South Dakota, at a later date.