Shirley Alta Demerly, 80, Sturgis, SD, died Tuesday, August 29, 2006, at the Beverly Health Care Center in Rapid City.

Funeral services will be September 1, 2006, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis with Pastor Del Weyer officiating. Burial follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. A memorial has been established to the Key City Retirement Home.

Shirley was born September 16, 1925, at Boneita Springs, SD, to Harvey and Stella (Green) Fitzgerald. She grew up in the country and graduated from a country high school. Her mother was a teacher and Shirley was often in charge of looking after her siblings.

The Fitzgerald family took in a young man named Billy Demerly when Billy was only 16 years old. On June 29, 1942, Shirley married Billy Demerly. She followed Billy to various posts after he was drafted. She found work in the factories that supported the war effort during World War II. After Billy was honorably discharged, they returned to Sturgis where Billy found employment at the Sturgis Livestock Exchange. In 1962, they moved near the sale barn where Billy worked and where Shirley was the dedicated wife and mother. Billy and Shirley were always together and were a devoted couple.

Survivors include her daughters, Sandy (Doug) Austin, Rapid City, Connie Miller, Sturgis; one brother, Harvey Fitzgerald, Hermosa; three sisters, Wyona Sundstrom, Newell, Mavis Symonds, Sturgis, Audrey Howard, Sturgis; also 5 grandchildren, 14-3/4 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Billy on August 29, 1999, one granddaughter, a sister-in-law and two brothers-in-law.