Shirley Wells

On February 6, 2016, Shirley Gene Wells of Spearfish, SD, died at the age of 85 in the Belle Fourche Health Care Center in Belle Fourche, SD, as a result of several ailments. Born on February 28, 1930, in the town Arlington, NE, in Washington County, Shirley was the second daughter of Benjamin "Ralph" and Victoria (Huey) Marshall. She was raised on a farm east of Martin, SD, and attended Bennett County High School in Martin where she actively participated in school plays, intramural sports, choir, and art. After graduating from high school in 1948, she studied book-keeping and art at Midland Lutheran College near Omaha, NE, and worked as a book-keeper for various Martin businesses. During this time Shirley delighted in socializing with friends and attending local dances with touring swing bands. Shirley embarked on a new adventure in April 1953 when she married Dennis Keith Wells, thus beginning 55 years of marriage and a lifetime of friendship, commitment, and love. Shirley and Dennis had three sons - Brian, Scott, and Damon - and a daughter, Sherry. Shirley and Dennis lived for a time in Winner, SD, but eventually re-settled in Martin to run the Wells family farm and support Dennis' teaching stints at several local schools. At this stage Shirley focused on establishing and improving the home in which she and Dennis were to live for 30 years, raising her four children, and enjoying and supporting family and friends. Shirley also engaged deeply in the activities of her church and was an active leader of her spiritual community, first at the Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church and later at the Hope Baptist Church in Martin. She and Dennis together were pillars of faith and guides to all around them in terms of developing a strong relationship with God. As her children grew into adulthood, Shirley was able to concentrate once again on art, one of her great passions. For the next several years she entered art shows and state-wide competitions in several media, leaving behind a legacy of artwork for her loved ones to treasure. In 1999, Shirley and Dennis relocated to Spearfish, SD, in their beloved Black Hills, where she delighted in travel, camping trips, mountain scenery, and both old and new friendships. Throughout her life, Shirley relished art, social get-togethers, games, travel, adventure, and independence. She approached all things with honesty, discipline, class, and dignity, and she maintained a deep and abiding loyalty to friends and family as well as a genuine commitment to her community. Shirley is survived by her son Brian (Amber) Wells of Spearfish, SD; son Scott Wells of Belle Fourche, SD; daughter Sherry (David) Wengerd of Goshen, IN; son Damon (Kim) Wells of Arlington, VA; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; her sister Marian Petres of Casa Grande, Arizona; and four nephews and nieces. She was pre-deceased by her spouse, Dennis K. Wells of Spearfish, SD, and by her parents, Benjamin "Ralph" and Victoria Marshall. Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of the Northern Hills in Spearfish, SD.

Service:

Saturday February 13, 2016 10:00 AM

Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church Martin, SD