Brian Ray Maher, 53, of Redfield, SD, died Sunday, September 13, 2009 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield.

His funeral will be Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Redfield. Reverend Stephen Perry will officiate.

Burial will be in the Greenlawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 1-8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6-8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Brian was born on October 27, 1955 to Gene and Hazel (Becker) Maher in Aberdeen, SD. He grew up on a farm north of Zell. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School, Pioneer Township School and graduated from Redfield High School in 1973. Brian then attended Mitchell Area Vocational Technical School in the Ag Marketing and Management program for two years, graduating in 1975. Brian married Marilee Engelbrecht on May 18, 1979. To this union two sons were born; Dustin and Bryce.
Brian has always been a hard worker and had worked at Gary's OK Tire, Redfield Sales, and Butch's Service prior to deciding on being a farmer and rancher. Brian enjoyed sharing his skills as a mechanic with his sons, checking on the cattle but most of all spending time with his granddaughter, Paige and watching his sons. In his spare time, you would find him either hunting or fishing.

Brian is survived by his sons, Dustin and Bryce both of Redfield, his granddaughter Paige Maher, his parents Gene and Hazel Maher of Athol, SD; sisters: Debbie (Robert) Stroud of Redfield, Carol (Darwin) Burton of Bonilla, SD; his nephews Kendall and Daniel Stroud, Dallas (Lacey) Burton and Tyler Burton; a niece Kelsey (John) Spotanske and son Aidyn; Marilee Engelbrecht and her brother Mark.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Ray and Norma Maher, Walter and Myrtle Becker; his uncles: Clarence Becker, Donnie Becker and Hugh Zens, and Marilee's parents Myrl and Marlene Engelbrecht.