Mary Ann Yard

Mary Ann Yard, 78, of Galesburg, died at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at home. Mary Ann was born on November 25, 1931 in Osage, Iowa, the daughter of Eugene and Mary Radke Litzelman.  She married William Yard on December 26, 1951 in Taylorville, Illinois; he preceded her in death on May 27, 1992.  Mary Ann is survived by three sons, Dennis (Sheryl) Yard, Mike (Shelley) Yard, and Paul (Bonnie) Yard all of Galesburg; daughter, Kathy Ekstrom of Decatur, Illinois; nine grandchildren, Kristy, Matthew, Bryan, Erin, Nicki, Jake, Brent, Jared, and Corey; and two great grandchildren, Jorden and Mackenzie.  She was preceded by her parents and a brother.  Mary Ann was a homemaker most of her life, she also was co-owner of Bills Package Liquor, and retired from Eagles Country Market.  Mary Ann was a member of the Red Hat Club, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and the Monroe Street Girls.  She enjoyed stamping, crafts, gardening, and attending her grandchildren’s activities.  Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 14 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Rev. William Miller officiating.  Visitation will be on Friday, August 13, from 5-7 p.m. at Watson Funeral Home with the rosary being prayed at 7 p.m.  Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens.  Memorials may be made to Relay for Life.  Services have been entrusted to Watson Funeral Home.