Shirley Cope, of Dawson, and formerly of Artesian, SD, died Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at the Johnson Memorial Home in Dawson at the age of 78.
Visitation and Memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 3:00 PM at the Johnson Memorial Home Chapel.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 26 at 10:00 AM at Fedora Presbyterian Church in Fedora, SD with Rev. Richard Poppen officiating. Interment will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery at Artesian, SD. Viewing will be at 9:00 at the church.
Shirley Gold Cope was born September 16, 1934 at Mitchell, SD the daughter of Herbert “Curly” and Margaret (Corwin) Matthews. She grew up on the farm and graduated from Forestburg High School in 1952. Shirley then attended Augustana College, sang in the choir and received her Education Degree before teaching 3-years at Huron and Letcher, SD. On November 6, 1957 Robert & Shirley were married in Pipestone, MN. They lived on a farm near Artesian where she raised large gardens, lots of chickens and chased one wild child. After retiring in Custer in 1993, she enjoyed many hours walking her dogs in the Black Hills, feeding deer and turkeys, spinning wool into yarn and knitting/crocheting gifts for friends and family. She continued to use her gift of singing in church and care center choirs. Shirley & Robert enjoyed traveling and sight-seeing and were able to visit all of the states except Hawaii.
She is survived by her daughter, Laurel (Manley) Peterson of Dawson, MN; three grandchildren: Darci (Mike) Neugebauer of Omaha, NE, Dani Peterson of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Dustin (Megan) Peterson of Lakewood, CO; two sisters: Joyce (Harlan) Tlustos of Sioux Falls, SD and Marge (Harvey) Lindemann of Pueblo, CO.
Preceding her in death were her parents and her husband, Robert.