Shirley Mae Overland, 97, was living at Fountain Springs Health Care in Rapid City at the time of her death on January 26, 2017.

In her earlier years while living in Huron, SD, she was very active in her church and also became the director of the Huron Area Senior Center. She was instrumental in changing a dormitory at Huron College into a senior center and housing complex for seniors. It was the first senior center in the nation to be developed on a college campus. During her years as director, it was selected as one of the top 10 senior centers in the nation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C. Over the years, she was active in programs and committees at the local and national level and received numerous awards and recognition for her work with seniors. In 1981-82, she was recognized in Who's Who of American Women.

Shirley was a "go-getter" and made things happen that improved the quality of life for many seniors. For her daughter, Dianne, who was born with spina bifida, she fought for her right to attend public school and for other rights that were not available to physically challenged people at that time in our history.

In her later years living at Aspen Grove Assisted Living in Sturgis, she loved the motorcycle rally and spent many an hour on the porch at Aspen watching the bikers ride by as well as trips downtown with her daughters to get "closer to the action!" She continued to be an active participant in the activities at Aspen Grove and very much enjoyed having her family close by. They will always remember and treasure their times together.

She was very gracious and accepting of the changes her family "suggested" to her. First was moving from her country home outside Custer into senior apartments in town. The apartments were named Landover (Overland backwards) Estates in recognition of her efforts that helped make the facility a reality. Little did she know that she would someday be living there! She also agreed to give up driving and ultimately moved into assisted living. How fortunate for us that she went along with these major changes in her life! Thanks, dear Mom...

Age and health issues slowed her down in her 90's, but her spirit, sense of humor, and outlook on life remained strong, positive, and fearless - a tribute to her faith and the strength she gained from it.

Memorial service will be Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Custer Lutheran Fellowship with and inurnment at Riverside Cemetery in Huron in the spring.