Stickney – Mary Lee Podhradsky, , went to her heavenly home Monday, December 18 at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.  Funeral service will be Friday, December 22 at 2:00 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stickney.  Visitation will be Thursday, December 21 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm with a 6:30 pm prayer service at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stickney. 

Mary Lee was born June 5, 1946 to Albert and Elva (Gosch) Nicolaus in Burke, SD.  She was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax, SD.  She graduated from Fairfax High School and attended Southern State College in Springfield, SD where she received a business degree.  She worked in Burke, Plankinton and Mitchell before becoming business manager for Stickney Public School for over 30 years.  She was united in marriage to Dave Artz Sr. to which two children were born.  Later, she married Jerry Podhradsky Sr., adding four step-children.  Mary Lee enjoyed sewing, flower gardening, decorating, sending greeting cards and coffee time.  She was well known for her welcoming, open door and her hugs.  Mary Lee went to her heavenly home Monday, December 18, 2023 at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 77.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Jerry; 2 children: Julie (Mike) Bosma and Dave Jr. (Heather) Artz; 3 step-children:  Jerry Jr. (Karla) Podhradsky, Harry (Susan) Podhradsky, and Bridget Podhradsky; 17 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; a sister, Connie (Dan) Schmitz; a brother, Jim (Janet) Nicolaus; nephews, nieces, counsins and numerous bonus children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Stanley; and a step-daughter, Sherri.