Shirley Sueltz

Services for Shirley Sueltz, 78, of Watertown will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 15th at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Aberdeen. Rev. Craig Grams will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.

Visitation will be held at the chapel from 4-8 p.m. on Friday with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Shirley passed away October 11, 2011 at Prairie Lakes Hospital, Watertown.

Shirley June Thompson was born on June 16, 1933 in Aberdeen to Chester and Florence (Waggnor) Thompson of Groton. She grew up on a farm near Putney and attended school in Groton. In the Winter of 1949, she was crowned Queen of Groton's Carnival of Silver Skates. Shirley graduated from Groton High School in 1951. On October 14, 1951 she married David A. Sueltz at James Lutheran Church, James, SD. They farmed in the Groton area for 45 years. Together they attended James Lutheran Church and later West Hansen and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. When they moved to Watertown in 1994, they joined Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer and then Hosanna Mission Church.

Shirley liked Precious Moments figurines, clowns, yellow roses and collecting angels. She also enjoyed drawing, sending birthday cards to family and eating out at Pizza Ranch. Together, they enjoyed camping, going to country music concerts. and also traveled to Branson, Niagara Falls, Alaska, New York and many other places. She accompanied her husband, "The Singing Farmer", to programs in nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the state, where she enjoyed visiting with the residents and their families.

When they lived on the farm and even after they moved to Watertown, she enjoyed driving around and looking at the crops. Shirley also enjoyed visiting with family in the fields during harvest time. She treasured family pictures, especially all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had many albums and pictures on display in her home. The greatest gift she gave to her family, she learned from her Savior, and she showed this by example, and that was the gift of forgiveness.

Celebrating her life is her husband, Dave of Watertown, her son, Scott (Susan) Sueltz of Groton; daughters, Kim (Dale) Holt of Cresbard, Kris Fliehs of Aberdeen; her grandchildren, Bret (Raechel) Fliehs, Lynde (Darin) Ross, Kalli Fliehs, Tigh (Adrienne) Fliehs, Matthew (Chandra) Holt, Kory (Jill) Holt, Jessica (Brian) Litecky, Alecia (Mike) Murphy, Kyle (Christa) Sueltz, Vanessa Sueltz and step-grandchildren, Bill & Melanie Olson, Kevin (Lauren) Olson, Tyler (Kellie) Hearnen, Katie (Jessie) Helwig. Shirley is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Faith Fliehs, Chandler, Kennedy and McKenna Ross, Sophia Holt, William, Thomas & Sarah Holt, Ava Litecky, Grace Murphy, Emily Sueltz and step-great-grandchildren, Megan, Caden & Luke Olson, Charley & Carter Olson, Parker & Preston Helwig and two sisters, Audrey Thurston of Groton and Sondra (Rex) Peckham of Enumclaw, Washington, brother-in-law, Dan (Janel) Sueltz of Colorado and sisters-in-law, Donna (Kurt) Misslitz, Aberdeen, Mary Ann Thompson of Groton, and Ruth Thompson, Bristol. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and many friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her brothers; Ivan and Darwin Thompson and her brother-in-law, Norman Thurston, and sister-in-law, Dorothy Toelle.

Casketbearers will be her grandsons.

Honorary Casketbearers will be all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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