Aberdeen: The funeral service for Shirley Jean Olson, 83, of Aberdeen will be 11 a.m. Monday, July 22, 2013, at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., in Aberdeen. Pastor Jill Warner will officiate.
Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Shirley died Thursday, July 18, 2013, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.
Visitation will be on Sunday, July 21, 2013, with family present from 3 to 5 p.m. at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home.
Shirley Jean Gruis, daughter of Melvin and Hilda (Bock) Gruis, was born Feb. 2, 1930, in Sioux Falls, S.D. She was raised and attended school in Centerville, S.D. Following her high school graduation, she worked for a short time as a telephone operator in Sioux Falls.
Shirley was united in marriage to Kleng Olson in Centerville on April 27, 1950. At this time, Shirley and Kleng operated a 24-hour service station near Vermillion, S.D., with his parents. Following Kleng's discharge from the Navy, they moved to Aberdeen. Shirley stayed at home for several years and raised her family. She then went to work for Coke and, later, St. Luke's Hospital, where she worked for many years until her health forced her to retire.
Shirley's beloved husband died July 21, 2000. She continued to make her home in Aberdeen. Shirley was a member of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Aberdeen and was active with the Women's Fellowship.
Grateful for having shared Shirley's life are her children: Bruce (Linda) Olson of Las Vegas, Nev., Bradley (Roxie) Olson of Aberdeen, Douglas Olson of Sioux Falls and Paul (Carsi) Olson of Perry, Iowa; 11 grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two sisters: Jeanette and JoAnn.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to the Avera St. Luke's Foundation, 305 S. State St., Aberdeen SD 57401.
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