Mary, 86, passed away peacefully with family on October 26, 2013, at her home in McKinney, TX. Mary was a devoted Christian woman who dedicated her life to serving others. She loved spending time with family and friends, traveling, sewing, and gardening.

Born Mary Lucille Nelson in Deadwood, SD, on May 3, 1927, to Albert and Julia (Stolnack) Nelson, she was raised in Newell where she graduated from Newell High School in 1944. After high school she attended St. John's McNamara Hospital School of Nursing in Rapid City and graduated in 1948. Mary married Lawrence O. Prestjohn on March 20, 1949. Relocating many times with Lawrence's military assignments, Mary adapted her career as a registered nurse in various hospital settings, preferring general med-surgery until she retired in 1986.

She is survived by Jacqueline A. Baskett of Pilot Point, TX; Mark O. Prestjohn of Lewisville, TX; Marilyn K. Knetzger and husband, Jack, of Plano, TX; and Jeanne M. Prestjohn of Carrollton, TX; seven grandchildren, including Matt Baskett and wife, Mandy, Kirsten Ekstrom and husband, Brandon, Sarah Eichberger and husband, John, Zachary Prestjohn, Julia Lawson and husband, Mike, Jill North, and Jayme Sims and husband, Jeremy; and four great-grandchildren, including Bailey and Wesley Baskett, Shiloh and Capri Ekstrom.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence O. Prestjohn; and three brothers, Emil, Harold, and Wesley Nelson.

Burial will be in the Black Hills National Cemetery with a committal service at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2013. The family will receive friends starting at 12:00 noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis.

Memorials may be made to Amity Hospice, 17311 North Dallas Parkway, Suite 125, Dallas, TX, 75248 or Grace Evangelical Free Church, 2005 Estates Parkway, Allen, Texas, 75002.