Jeannette Joan Shelstad was born in Lemmon, SD, on August 9, 1933. She was the youngest of 2 children born to Martin and Hazel (Larson) Shelstad. She died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Spearfish, SD, Thursday, June 18, 2015, after a long battle with cancer.

Jeannette was raised and educated in Bison, SD. She attended grades 1-12 in Bison and graduated from Bison High School in 1951. During her school years, she was active in music and sports. She was baptized and confirmed in the American Lutheran Church in Bison.

She married Walter Kolb, also of Bison, on March 23, 1954, in Rapid City, SD, and made their home in Bison.

During World War II, she spent the summer of 1941 in Portland, OR, with her family, where her father, Martin, worked in the shipyards to help with the war effort. She recalled picking berries with her mother and sister during the picking season.

After high school, Jeannette went to work for the Production Marketing Administration (PMA) in Bison, which later became the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS). She later went to work for the Farm Home Administration (FHA) also in Bison. She left the FHA 1959 to raise a family and work with her husband in the family business. For 34 years, they operated and later owned the Standard Oil bulk dealership in Bison. She was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and a volunteer with the Bison Ambulance.

Walt and Jeannette retired in 1987 and moved to Spearfish, SD. There Jeannette was active in St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lutheran Women's Missionary League, Hospital Auxiliary, Cornet Club, St. Paul Lutheran quilters and the Lawrence County Republican Women. They spent many winters traveling to warmers areas south, mostly in Arizona.

She is survived by her husband, Walter of Spearfish; son, Perry (Rebecca) Kolb of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Alan (Roberta) of Spearfish; daughter, Kristie (Troy) Nedved of Highlands Ranch, CO; seven grandchildren, Jordan Kolb, Haleigh Kolb and Grant Kolb of Sioux Falls, Tracy Kolb, Kevin Kolb and Lorie Kolb of Spearfish and Riley Nedved of Highlands Ranch, CO; and 1 great-grandchild, Connor Kolb.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Hazel Shelstad; a sister, Dorothy Shelstad; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2015, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish. Committal services follow at 1:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Memorials have been established to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish and Hospice of the Northern Hills.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.

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