Mary Surmack Carney

With great sadness, the family of Mary Surmack Carney, 95, announces her passing after a brief illness on Saturday, January 13, 2018, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Services will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Friday, January 19th at 10:30 a.m. and burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City. Visitation is Thursday, January 18th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Prayer service will start at 7 p.m. and the family will be present from 5 to 8 p.m.

Mary was born in Sioux City on October 6, 1922, the third daughter of Victor and Luba Surmack. She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City, married Gene Carney and had four children.

Mary loved to travel and appreciated a good novel, crossword puzzles, fashion magazines and a green, well-manicured lawn. When she played golf, she always walked the golf course, and she lived independently at home until November of 2017. Mary was very close to her nine grandchildren and they have fond memories of traveling around Russia with Grandma and the cousins, her love for a good vodka martini, dancing at weddings and her choice words about pedestrians and other drivers.

Mary is survived by her children, Colleen Hines of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Pat Carney of Madison, Wisconsin, and Bill (Sherri) Carney of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and her sister Lena Slowiaczek of Sioux City.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Gene Carney; her son Steven Carney; parents Victor and Luba Surmack; and her sisters Julia Albeck, Alyce Thomas and Kathryn Delaney.

Memorial donations in Mary’s memory may be made to the Bishop Heelan High School Fund, 1231 Grandview Boulevard, Sioux City, Iowa 51103.