MAYER, Blossom McShannnon

YANKTON, S.D. — Blossom McShannon Mayer, 90, Yankton, S.D., died June 19, 2012, at the Yankton Care Center, Yankton, S.D. Visitation was June 22 at the Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton. Memorial services were June 23 at the Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton, with Pastor Les Parmenter officiating. Inurnment was at the Bloomfield Cemetery, Bloomfield. Blossom Marie was born April 21, 1922, in Crofton, to Walter and Gale (Stocking) Hennings. She was the second oldest of five daughters. Her family moved to Patricia, S.D., when she was a young child. Blossom had fond memories of living in a one-room sod house, searching for small ruby pebbles on Ruby Hill and carrying water from the creek. Her family moved back to Crofton, where Blossom graduated from Crofton High School in 1940. Blossom married Norman McShannon Aug. 14, 1940. They had three daughters and one son, Phyllis, Joyce, Marcia and Mark. Blossom and Norman farmed in the Crofton-Bloomfield area for 34 years until Norman died in 1975. Blossom married Alfred “Tuck” Engstedt in 1977 and worked with him in his Crofton grocery store. Alfred died in 1984. In 1989, she married Dwight “Biz” Rissler. They enjoyed trips to Washington, D.C., and wintered in Mission, Texas, for several years. Biz died in 1995. Blossom then married Vern Mayer in 2000. They enjoyed playing cards, going out for Friday fish frys and raising Jack Russell Terriers. Blossom was active in the Crofton U.C.C. Congregational Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Crofton Senior Center and the NFO Farm Organization. In her senior years, she enjoyed caring for her parakeets and fish aquarium, wearing her beautiful jewelry, playing cards with her friends at Autumn Winds, playing bingo at the Yankton Care Center and loving her family. She enjoyed her unusual name, Blossom, and the comments she received from others. Survivors include her four children and their spouses, Phyllis and Alan Dingman, Yankton, S.D.; Joyce and Chuck Eckhardt, Crofton; Mark and Shelley McShannon, McKenzie Bridge, Ore.; Marcia and David Jones, Milford; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Peggy Carrico, Conroe, Texas. Blossom was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; three sisters, Opal Shalberg, Violet Meyer and Jean Swensen; infant brother, Wallace Dale; son-in-law, Ray Pool; and one step-great-grandson, Michael Stevens.