Shirley Ann Van Lake

Aug. 23, 1927 – Sept. 22, 2025

Shirley Ann Van Lake, 98, of Frannie passed away peacefully September 22, 2025, surrounded by her children.

Shirley was born August 23, 1927, in Mobridge, South Dakota, to William Herbert Shannon and Ruth Julieanna Schmidt. She attended schools in Mobridge and Martin, South Dakota. She attended the University of Nebraska, where she majored in physical education, later changing to elementary education. 

In 1948 she accepted a contract to teach in Powell. It was here that she met Jack Van Lake, the love of her life. They married June 9, 1948. Jack was a farmer, and over time they had five children. In 1956, they moved to Frannie, where Jack farmed and later was a contract oil field pumper.

Shirley loved cats, birds and squirrels. She enjoyed traveling with Jack and developed an
interest in testing her luck on slot machines after he died. Shirley cheered for the Chiefs and Nebraska. She especially liked Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Tom Brady.

She was active in the Methodist Church and Birthday Club. Shirley loved her friends, Millie, Marie and Ruby.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Dewey, sister Donna, husband Jack,
son Gary, daughter-in-law Bev and great-granddaughter Aliyah. 

Shirley is survived by her four children, Connie (Jim) Gill, Bill (Lori) Van Lake, Jacque (Terry) Bly and Terry (Jenny) Van Lake; 16 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service was held Saturday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Powell with burial at Crown Hill Cemetery.