Mary Clarin, age 79, of Brookings, died Tuesday, February 10, 2009, at Brookview Manor in Brookings, after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 13, 2009, at First United Methodist Church in Brookings, with interment in the Elkton City Cemetery. Visitations will be from 5-8 P.M. Thursday, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

Mary Ellen (Peters) Clarin was born April 24, 1929, in Brookings County, to George and Lena (Thoelke) Peters. She attended country school and graduated from White High School in 1947. On November 6, 1948, she married Gordon Clarin at Ivanhoe, Minnesota. They lived in the White, Volga, Yankton, and Brookings areas before moving to Elkton in 1967. Mary and Gordon purchased the Elkton Locker in 1968, and retired in 1992. After retirement, Mary worked at the Elk Caf for a few years. In 1999 she moved to Sunchase Apartments in Brookings, where she lived until moving to Brookview Manor in November 2008.

Mary was a member of the United Parish of Elkton. She enjoyed Shopping with her daughters and spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her children: Cheryl (Ron) Borstad of Brookings, Carol (Arden) Nelson of Lake Preston, and Steve (April) Clarin of Brookings; a daughter-in-law, Gayle Clarin, of Brookings; eight grandchildren: Travis Clarin, Mike (Christina), Tony, and Scott Borstad, Trina (Monty) Perkins, Troy and Trent Nelson, and Mariah Clarin; a step-granddaughter, Pheobe McDonald; eight great-grandchildren: Curtis, Cheyenne, Merecedes, Cody, Haylee, Madison, Savanna, and Zackery; and two brothers: Sidney and Bobby Peters. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, in 1995; a son, Rick; her parents; and three sisters: Ivey, Evelyn, and Mildred.