Shirley A Wilson

Shirley A (Lovell) Wilson passed away on May 29, 2016, at home under the care of hospice and her loving family. Memorial Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 214 E Thayer Ave., Bismarck, on Monday, June 6, at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. She was born in New Rockford, ND on February 2, 1932 to Irv and Louise Lovell. The family soon moved to Courtenay ND where Shirley attended school, graduated and went on to attend Valley City State Teachers College. She married her best friend, Jack Wilson, on December 2, 1951, shortly before Jack left to serve with the US Army in Korea. Shirley finished her teaching degree and taught elementary school in Courtenay while Jack was in Korea. When he returned, they bought an International Harvester dealership in Sharon, ND, where they remained for the next 14 years. Their 3 children were all born during their time in Sharon. Jack’s next career with Melroe/Bobcat took them to Fargo for 7 years, and then to Bismarck where they have continued to reside for the past 43 years. They spent 20 years wintering in the Arizona sun after Jack’s retirement and enjoyed playing golf and cards with their many friends. Jack and Shirley also spent many years enjoying the activities of the Shrine/Duster unit in Bismarck, of which Jack was a member. Shirley participated in many different types of activities and had many talents. She was known for authoring clever and amusing poems and stories, which she often recited at special occasions for family and friends. She was active in the First Presbyterian Church wherever she lived, and served in many capacities over the years. Most recently she was a Lay Minister with First Presbyterian in Bismarck. Shirley played in many bridge clubs over the years and she especially enjoyed their trips to Prairie Knights, where she had a favorite machine. She loved to entertain her family and friends with her delicious meals and famous apple pie; and until recently, was still canning a variety of vegetables and fruits, which she generously shared with her family. This wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother will be remembered fondly for her joy of family and her loyalty and total commitment to their collective well-being. Shirley is survived by her life partner of nearly 65 years, Jack, and her children and their families; Daughter Kathy (Dan) Mayer and their children and grandchildren, Matt (Onika), Eden and Alan Mayer, Oak Creek, CO; Elizabeth Mayer, Steamboat Springs, CO, John (Kara) Mayer, Bismarck; and Jennifer (David) and Brextyn Gronos, Bismarck. Son, Robert Wilson, Bismarck and Daughter Becky Steckler and her children and grandchildren, Katie (Lee), Tyson and Ellie Mittelstadt, Bismarck, and Thomas (Keeley Beck) and Sophia Steckler, Bismarck. Shirley is also survived by two sisters, Betty Schweitzer, WY and Carol Ferrill, ID as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Irv and Louise Lovell; sister, Lois Mahon; brother, Robert Lovell; as well as Jack’s parents, Glen and Marion Wilson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church/Bismarck, the Shrine Hospital, or the Robert Asker Scottish Rite Speech Center/Bismarck.