Shirley Skjonsberg, Mitchell

Shirley Mae (Niles) Skjonsberg, 77, Mitchell, died Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab.

Skjonsberg was born May 7, 1935.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday with a 7 p.m. prayer service at the Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Skjonsberg was born to Lawrence and Christine (Stave) Aadland in Veblen. Shirley married Don Niles and later Burton Skjonsberg .

Throughout her life Shirley was employed as a waitress and ranch hand, but considered raising her daughters to be her greatest achievement. Her sense of accomplishment and pride stemmed from watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and flourish.

Being an animal lover, Shirley spent much of her life caring for her horses as well as numerous other critters. She was an avid garage sale enthusiast and her girls have many treasures to prove it.

Shirley was a female MacGyver and her resourcefulness was apparent every time she made something out of nothing. As she went through her daily chores and many adventures, she was aware of the angels on her shoulders and sometimes tested their limits. Shirley’s work ethic and resilience served as a role model for her girls.

Shirley is survived by her daughters: LaDonna Hesby, Hetland; Brenda (George) Schulte, Alexandria; Sherry (Wade) Schrank, Salem; Heidi (Greg) Bailey, Shannon Lundquist (Shannon Larson), Shaun (Mike) Fox, all of Mitchell and step-daughter, Diane (Mike) Currence, Sisseton; four sisters: Ardys Devine, Jean Duwenhoegger, Black Hills; Violet (John) Sichmeller, Murdo; Mary Lou Aadland, Texas; Maggie Aadland, Custer; nine grandchildren: Lona Berndt, Zane Curry, Josh Stanfield, Shelby and Zach Schrank, Andy Lundquist, Kailee, Emilee, and Brady Fox; six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and her best friend, Francis Carmody , Wessington.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Don Niles and Burton Skjonsberg, her brother, Dennis Aadland, son-in-law, George Campbell, grandson, Blaise Bailey, brothers-in-law, Lyle Devine and Rudy Duwenhoegger, one nephew, Tim Sichmeller , and two infant siblings.

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