Marilyn Irene Gjerde Ryan Shipley, 81, born south of Rhame, ND on February 26, 1942, was called to heaven on August 19, 2023 at her home in Spearfish, SD.

Marilyn didn't have an easy childhood. She spoke of never having two nickels to rub together, but boy, did she live a rich life! The family moved to Billings, MT, after the death of her father when she was 12, then moved to Belle Fourche, SD in 1957, where she made lifelong friends. She moved to Hardin, MT in 1959, graduating high school in 1960. Following graduation she joined the Women's Army Corp, where she became a licensed vocational nurse. She served for six years, from basic training at Fort Rucker, AL to San Francisco, to Okinawa, to Heidelberg, Germany. She was rightfully proud of this period in her life, and from the stories she shared, she lived life to the fullest! From helping to deliver babies in Japan, to traveling the European countryside while on leave, to ironing the uniforms of the visiting USO performers, she made countless remarkable memories.

Marilyn married Gerald William Ryan on Sept 10, 1966 and settled on the ranch west of Belle Fourche, SD. Together they proudly raised four children. An exceptional seamstress, she taught a generation in the community to sew as a 4-H Leader, was a member of the Aladdin Homemakers, and served on the Crook County Library Board. Her dinner table always had room for one more chair and her coffee pot was always on.

In 1993, Marilyn moved to Spearfish where she met and married Dennis Shipley in 1996. They moved to Mesa, AZ, and Marilyn moved even further south to join her two daughters in Yuma, AZ in 2005. She loved the desert heat and made many friends there. Marilyn was a top seller of fine jewelry at JCPenney for 10 years before returning to South Dakota in 2016. She enjoyed reading, going to the park, and was in the process of writing a book.

Marilyn was tough! She battled COVID and she defeated lung cancer, getting to "ring the bell" last summer, but in the end, an aggressive brain tumor called her to the front of the line. She had a strong faith that never wavered. She had wonderful neighbors in the Birch apartments, and she so enjoyed the company of friends and close family. She loved to travel, to try new things and would talk with anyone. Although she remained close to home in her final years, she always encouraged her kids and grandkids to travel and see the world, to "Take the Trip!" She often reminisced about the cruise she took, hiking to the Ringing Rocks in Montana, and the family trips to the beaches on both coasts. She was happiest in the company of loved ones, with sunshine on her face and her toes in the sand!

The last surviving member of her immediate family, she was eager to be reunited with her mother, Emma Julia Stenbak Gjerde Johnston Jamieson; her father, Elmer Millard Gjerde; sister Marjorie and brothers Eldon and Dennis.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children and their spouses; Deborah and James Voller, Michael and Kristi Ryan, Scott and Tami Ryan, and Stacy and Kelly Singer, eleven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren plus a third on the way. Also near to her heart were Dave and Cindy Ryan, Christina and Dale Singer, and her many dear cousins, nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Lacey at Heartland Hospice and Beth Hermanson, NP and staff at Ft Meade Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1020 State Street, Spearfish, SD on August 24 at 10:30am with viewing one hour prior. Interment with military honors at 1pm at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com