
Shirley James
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Shirley James, 89, of Aberdeen, SD, formerly of LaMoure, ND, passed away April 13, 2023 at Prairie Heights Healthcare, Aberdeen, SD.
She was born October 22, 1933 at Dickinson, North Dakota to Rudolph and Magdalene (Krueger) Gerhardt. She graduated from Gladstone High School in 1951, where she was active in 4-H during her school years. Shirley earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Dickinson State College and her Master of Science degree from Northwestern University. Before her marriage, Shirley taught school for fourteen years, nine of those years in Sheridan, Wyoming, where she was named "Outstanding Young Teacher".
She was united in marriage to Lester James on September 28, 1968 at Taylor, North Dakota. They made their home in Piedmont, South Dakota and Bowman and Reeder, North Dakota before moving to LaMoure in 1977. They moved to Aberdeen, SD in 2014. Shirley was a substitute teacher for the LaMoure Public School system and a part-time postal clerk for the LaMoure Post Office until her retirement.
Shirley was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of LaMoure, including being an elder of the church. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, hand quilting, and having coffee and visiting with friends. She especially enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren whenever she could.
She is survived by her husband, Lester; four daughters, Theresa James, Box Elder, SD, Karen James, Grand Forks, ND, Marie (Peter) Farney, Parker, CO, and Nancy James, Charlotte, NC; three grandchildren, Erin and Ben Farney, and Bisi James. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Quain Jahrman.
Memorial service will be held on Monday, April 17, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen, SD. Memories may be viewed and shared on the Dahlstrom Funeral Home website www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com on her obituary page.
