Mary T. Ground

Mary Theresa Splonskowski Ground—beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend—passed peacefully on April 27, 2026 in Boise, Idaho at St. Alphonse’s Hospital at the age of 94. She is now in God’s tender care.

Born to Charles P. and Marcella Devine Splonskowski on February 12, 1932 north of Marion, South Dakota, Mary was the seventh child of eight. She was loved and cared for, growing up on a farm. She spent many happy hours working with her siblings and mother and playing with her younger sister, Clarice. Mary was raised in a devout Catholic family and received her First Communion at St. Mary’s parish in Marion, South Dakota. She lived her Christian values throughout her life.

She married Donald David Harris in 1951 in Hill City, South Dakota. She was a dedicated mother who had eight children and raised seven to adulthood. Her children remember family vacations together to different locations in the Western United States. Mary enjoyed watching all of her children graduate from Meridian High School.

Mary lived in South Dakota, California, Minnesota, and Idaho. She worked as a waitress, switch board operator, in medical equipment distribution, and for Costco. She married Leonard Ground, and they enjoyed 17 years together. They liked to travel and visit family.

In her retirement years, Mary loved visiting family and traveling to new places; including, Argentina, Chile, Canada, Great Britain and Ireland, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the U. S. Virgin Islands, plus many U. S. States including Hawaii and Alaska. She loved spending time with friends, attending family reunions, and socializing with friends at the Meridian Senior Center on weekdays. She loved camping, playing cards, Bunco, and working on puzzles. She loved gathering in Pam and Trish’s backyard for family get-togethers and spending time with grandchildren. She loved watching Boise State football games with family. She enjoyed following family and friends on social media.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, in 2012; her parents, Charles P. and Marcella D. Splonskowski; and her siblings Alphonse (Delsie) Splonskowski, Audry (Woody) Poppe, Marvin (Lillian) Splonskowski, Dorothy (Alfred) Boldt, Esther (Lucius) Arneson, Evelyn (Don) Bohm, and Clarice (Merlin) Tebbe; and one son, James Dean Harris.

She is survived by seven children: Kathryn (Bryce) Bronson, Cheryl (Randy) Redmon, Donald J. (Marjorie) Harris, Jeannette (Ron) Marler, Patricia “Trish” Harris, Pamela (Rich) Owens, and Kelly (Julia) Harris; 21 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and a brother-in-law, Merlin Tebbe.

Many thanks to all who have loved and cared for Mary throughout her life, especially these last few years, most notably her daughters.

A viewing from 9:30-11:30 am and funeral services from 3-4:30 pm will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026 at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, 5400 Fairview Ave, Boise.

Internment at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise.