Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph ""Mickey"" Maher, age 85, of Morristown, SD, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morristown, SD. Fr. Tony Grossenburg will officiate with burial to follow in the Hillside Cemetery at Morristown.

Joseph M. ""Mickey"" Maher was born on October 12, 1927, in Hartford, SD, to John and Elsie (Spielmann) Maher. When he was a young boy his parents moved to a ranch north of Morristown, SD. Mickey attended grade school at Hanna Country School and graduated from High School in 1945.

Following his schooling, Mickey, returned to the family ranch. Mickey's father passed away and Mickey assumed the care of his siblings and the ranching operation. At a dance in Morristown, he was reacquainted with a neighbor girl, Donna Hilsendager. They dated for some time and were united in marriage on October 7, 1950. To this union, 12 children were born. They made their home with Mickey's mother while their house was being remodeled due to a flood.

Mickey spent many years raising Black Angus Cattle, on the ranch his mother and father started. He was very proud to continue the heritage of his parents. In 1979, Mickey and Donna built a new house in Morristown, and in 2008 they moved into Lemmon.

Mickey enjoyed playing baseball in his younger years and later on watching his daughters play softball and basketball and his sons play football. Later on he loved to hear about the activities and sporting events his grandchildren participated in. Mickey was especially proud of his brothers and sisters, his sons and daughters and all of his grand and great-grandchildren. He loved to play poker and taught all his kids how to play before they were old enough for school. Years later, whenever the boys could take their dad's money in a poker game, that was a ""feather in their cap"".

Mickey loved to hunt and fish (especially his way), and kept up on all political things, especially those related to the Ag industry, just in case it came up in a conversation. He especially loved to read western books. Mickey always remembered the events of the ""Blizzard of 66"" and how hard that winter was on the area. But most of all, he was honored to have been able to be present at the birth of all 12 of his children.

Mickey passed away on Sunday morning, June 30, 2013 at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon.

Mickey is survived by his wife of 62 years, Donna Maher, Lemmon, SD; ten sons, Mike (Marcia) Maher, Isabel, SD, Ed (Judy) Maher, Morristown, SD, Kevin (Mary) Maher, Rapid City, SD, Ken (Cindy) Maher, New Salem, ND, Keith (Candy) Maher, Billings, MT, Pat (Rhonda) Maher, Dickinson, ND, Nick (Deb) Maher, Bowman, ND, Rick (Cheryl) Maher, Rapid City, SD, Jeff (Bobby) Maher, Dickinson, ND and John (Monica) Maher, Billings, MT; two daughters, Linda (Tim) Garrett, Spring Creek, NV and Jody (Myron) Schmidt, Colstrip, MT; 42 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; five brothers, Francis (Carol) Maher, Menoken, ND, Paul (Claudette) Maher, Bismarck, ND, Vince (Chris) Maher, Mobridge, SD, Jerome (Etta) Maher, Glendive, MT and Dan (Gloria) Maher, Morristown, SD; two sisters, Mary Gauthier and Rose Mary (Dave) Dirk; one sister-in-law, Polly Maher, Mitchell, SD; his friend and roommate at the Nursing Home, Earl; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mickey was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, John, Jim and Pat; twin sisters in infancy; and one grandson, Cody Maher.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 5, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary/Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morristown, SD.

A memorial has been established to the Alzheimer's Association.