Mary Ann Jallo, age 84, passed away on December 18, 2025, at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota. She was born in Lakota, North Dakota, to Ed and Elizabeth (Pesek) Balek on August 29, 1941. From an early age, Mary Ann was always on the go! She was a bit of a tomboy and loved playing marbles and ‘always beating the boys’, basketball, and playing at her Dad’s Standard Oil office or the local farmer’s elevator in Lawton, ND, with her cousins and friends, which were her favorite things to do. Mary Ann turned out to be an outstanding high school basketball player and eventually became a huge North Carolina Tar Heels basketball fan. She loved bowling and softball as an adult. By far her best sport was cheering on her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids in all of their activities and sports. She loved to play Yahtzee and was affectionately known as ‘Yahtzee Gramma’ by her great-grandchildren!

Mary Ann attended Mayville St and started to date ‘this good-looking guy who drove a ‘57 Chevy’! That guy was Myron Jallo. The two were married on July 15, 1963. They had two kids, Marilee (Ron) McLaughlin from Rapid City, SD, and David (Brenda) Jallo from Bismarck, ND, six grandchildren: Hannah, Luke, Paul, Brianna, Brittany, and Connor. As well as eight great-grandchildren. She and Myron were involved in car clubs in their retirement years, eventually showing various vehicles, including a return to that '57 Chevy!

Mary Ann was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and she loved everyone in her family unconditionally. If there was a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion, you could count on a card arriving well in advance. Mary Ann was the lunch clerk at Meadowbrook for 19 years and was well-loved by the kids and staff. She enjoyed going to the family farm in the summer and helping to make meals, being a gopher, and doing odd jobs around the farm. Shopping was her passion! You could always find her ‘running errands’ during the week.

Mary Ann also had an insatiable appetite for music. As a young girl, she started playing the piano and singing anytime she could. The radio was always on in her house!

Mary Ann is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many cousins, all of whom loved her and miss her. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

No services are planned at this time. In honor of Mary Ann’s life, the family requests that you donate to your church or a Christ-centered organization in her memory.