Shirley Williams, 97, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 20, at Pioneer Care Center in Fergus Falls, Minnesota where she had been a resident since 2016.

Shirley Lavonne Dearborn was born October 22, 1921, in southern Hand County, South Dakota to Grace (Kinyon) and Ray Dearborn.  She attended elementary schools in rural Hand County and graduated from Miller High School in 1938. After receiving her teaching certificate from Huron College (where she met her future husband) she taught school in Lane, South Dakota.  She married Clarence Williams, December 22, 1942 in Selma, Alabama where he was stationed in the Army Air Corp. When Clarence was transferred to Eglin Field , Florida, they lived in Crestview, and a daughter, Lavonne Claire was born there in 1944.

When World War II ended, they returned to Huron.  A son, Ronald Ray, was born in 1946 and the family moved to Sisseton, South Dakota, where both were employed by the Sisseton Public Schools.  She completed her degree from Huron College while her daughter was also in school there. She was active in the local Presbyterian Church and other civic organizations.  Shirley and her husband retired in 1982 and moved to Mobridge to enjoy fishing and boating on the Missouri River and to be able to spend time with their two grandsons.  In Mobridge, Shirley was a member of the Mobridge Regional Hospital Auxiliary, Chapter H PEO, AARP, and the Oahe Area Retired Teachers. She was active in the Mobridge United Church of Christ and its Women's Fellowship.

Throughout her long life, playing Bridge was one of her favorite past times as well as a good book and the daily newspaper. Her great-grandchildren have memories of playing school and hide and seek in the basement and tea parties when they would visit.  It is possible that her patience was tested when the two young grandsons were in her charge but she always welcomed the chance to have them visit. Her children will remember a devoted  Mother who never raised her voice or uttered a bad word.

Shirley is survived by daughter, Lavonne Salzsiedler of Minneapolis, son, Ronald Williams of Fergus Falls, grandson, John (Sheila) Salzsiedler, great grandchildren, Grace and Grant, all of Apple Valley, MN, grandson, James (Jeana) Salzsiedler, great grandchildren, Jake, Jordyn and Julia of Mayer, MN, a sister, Beverly Sorensen of Brandon, SD and a sister-in-law, Ramona Dearborn of Lincoln, NE and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brother, Dwight Dearborn and his wife, Evelyn, brother, Delwyn and son-in-law, John Salzsiedler.

Memorials can be sent to the Mobridge United Church of Christ,  the First Presbyterian Church of Sisseton or the donor's choice.

Graveside services will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Mobridge at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, September 25, 2019.