Shirley Anderson

Shirley Jean (Edwards) Anderson was born to Ervin and Genevieve (Drackley) Edwards on February 14, 1935, in Tracy, Minnesota. She was born on a cold Valentine Day at the Valentine Hospital and was delivered by Dr. Valentine. She was baptized in 1935 and attended Lyon County School #72 through 7th grade then Tracy High School. After the family moved to Walnut Grove, Shirley attended school there and graduated in 1953 as salutatorian of her class. During her youth, Shirley was active in 4-H where she received purple ribbons on her canning entries.

On October 24, 1953, Shirley married Lester W. Anderson at the Tracy Methodist Episcopal Church. They lived and farmed near Garvin where Julie and Lori were both born. In 1960 the family moved to a farm near Lake Shetek where Lisa was born. At that time Shirley was a member of the Nivrag Club (Garvin spelled backwards). This was a close-knit group of area wives that supported each other and have remained friends today. Shirley and Les always wanted to live on the highway so, in 1969 during a snowstorm, they moved the livestock and the farm operation to the farm on Hwy 14 near Balaton.

As the girls grew up, she was very active in the Tracy church as a Sunday School teacher, youth leader, and church board member. She served as a 4-H leader at both local and county levels. For 15 years Shirley was employed at the Balaton School District #411 as a teacher’s aide, library clerk, and served as the district’s first Community Education Coordinator.

In 1987 Shirley graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University with a BA degree in Sociology, Physical Education Recreation, and Community Corporate. That same year she began her career in social work through Western Community Action as a self-sufficiency case manager. After retirement in 2002 Shirley remained active, especially enjoying volunteering in a local kindergarten. She and Les took many trips including destinations like Washington DC, Niagara Falls, San Francisco, and Hawaii.

After Les’ passing in 2016 Shirley remained in her home in Marshall. She enjoyed visits from her kids, grandkids, friends, and family. One special tradition she carried on was baking dozens of Christmas cookies with Lori, and granddaughter, Megan.

Shirley loved her flower gardens. Some of her favorites were roses, chrysanthemums, hostas, and peonies transplanted from the farm. Now her granddaughter, Kristy, has transplanted some of the peonies to her house in the Black Hills.

For the last 4 years Shirley lived at Boulder Estates in Marshall. There she met new and old friends, attended Bible study, enjoyed hymn sings, and loved her walks in the gardens.

Shirley is survived by two daughters, Lori (and LaRon) DeBoer of Brookings, SD; Lisa (and Bryan) Teachout of Rapid City, SD; son-in-law, Dale Wieme of Ruthton; 8 grandchildren, Adam Wieme (and Brook Albright) of Tyler, Erin (and Shane) Bryant of Beresford, SD, Noah (and Anne) Wieme of Tyler, Joshua (and Briana) Wieme of Ruthton, Megan DeBoer (and Anthony Wahl) of Sioux Falls, SD, Austin (and Megan) DeBoer of Chesterfield, MO, Kristy (and Todd) Aldren of Rapid City, SD, Eric Teachout (and Lena) of Dundas; 23 great-grandchildren, Kalea, Teagan, Jase, Ashton, Jozilyn, Drake, Blaze, Gavin, Jaelyn, Kamden, Lydia, Nora, Aubrey, Leo, Owen, Mack, Luke, Jilian, Jonah, Jade, Jenna, Andrew, and Evangeline; special Swedish daughter, Gunilla Qvarnström; nephews, nieces, other relatives, and many friends.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Lester; daughter, Julie Wieme; sister, Phyllis McConnell; and her parents, Erv and Gen Edwards.

Arrangements by Hamilton Funeral Home Marshall, Minnesota 507-532-2933. www.hamiltonfh.com