January 23, 1945 – February 24, 2025
Memorial services for Shirley Masteller, 80, of Glenham will be at 10:30 AM, Monday, March 3, 2025, at the Selby Methodist Church. There will be a memorial visitation on Sunday from 5 to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at the church. Shirley passed away Monday, February 24, 2025, at the Mobridge Regional Hospital. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.
Shirley Ann (Johnson) Masteller was born on January 23, 1945, to Harold and Carol Johnson in Avon, South Dakota. She attended country school and graduated from Avon High School in 1963. Shirley attended South Dakota State University and graduated with a degree in medical technology and a minor in mathematics. Shirley was a resident assistant in Scobey Hall, the first co-ed dorm at SDSU, where she met Vance Masteller. They were soon married on January 26, 1967.
Once married, Shirley accompanied Vance across the country during his military service. She and daughter Cary then returned home to Selby when Vance was drafted overseas where she taught math and physics at Selby High School. Vance then returned from the service to take over his family farm, where Shirley was an enthusiastic hands-on member.
Shirley then studied and became a Master Gardener. She used her green thumb to help plant trees for the Conservation District and enjoyed helping Jeanne Weigum with the arboretum in Mobridge. She spent many hours tending her own garden and flowers as well. Shirley liked to build things. She helped assemble the 6-pack grain silos for the Selby Elevator. She did crop adjusting for many years and was an active member in the community, leading to her involvement in the United Methodist Church. Her creativity led to her kick-starting the Busy BlueBirds 4-H club, where she spent many years judging 4-H projects for the county and state fairs. She also assisted in starting and organizing the Mobridge Art Show and enjoyed quilting and was in the process of making a quilt for each of her grandchildren.
In 1992, Vance and Shirley built their dream home, a cabin in the New Evarts Resort area, overlooking Lake Oahe. This home became the cherished center of the Masteller family, a place where countless memories were made through watersports, baking, and holiday celebrations.
Shirley’s enjoyment for travel led her and Vance to some special places like China, Peru, London, and many more.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Vance Masteller of Glenham, SD, daughter, Cary Gries of Nowthen, MN, son, William (Tiffany) Masteller of Selby, SD, brother, Doug (Gail) Johnson of Tyndall, SD, grandchildren, Amanda (Clayton) Blackburn, Bloomingdale, OH, Tanner (Rachel) Masteller, Glenham, SD, Julia Gries, Nowthen, MN, Macy Masteller, Sioux Falls, SD and her three great grandchildren; Raven, Rose, and Kierra.
She is preceded in death by her parents Harold and Carol Johnson, sister-in-law, Joanne Bieber, and brother-in-law, Willis Bieber.
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