Shirley A. Flemming

Shirley Ann Flemming, cherished wife, beloved mother, grandmother and member of the Florence community, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 2, 2025, her 88th birthday, surrounded by family at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. 

A visitation to celebrate Shirley’s life will be held at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8, with a rosary service beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church in Florence on Saturday, August 9, at 10:30 am. Father Greg Tschakert will be celebrant. Music will be provided by Carolyn Maag as organist and Monica Simmons as song leader.

Shirley will be laid to rest beside Vincent at Esterly Cemetery in rural Florence immediately following the Mass. Honorary pallbearers will be Shirley’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be Greg Flemming, Kyle Knutson, Max Stangeland, Jordan Flemming, Jeff Gilbery,  and Curtis Gilbery.

Shirley was born August 2, 1937 in Fargo, ND, to Fred and Eveline (Stine) Gilbery. Shirley grew up with a strong sense of faith and family. She graduated from Lake Preston High School.  On May 25, 1959, she married Vincent, and together they raised eight children on a farm south of Florence. Shirley was the heart of the home—nurturing, steady, and endlessly generous. Alongside Vincent, she co-founded Flemming Electric and Repair, managing the books for the business and the farm. She was always ready to run for parts for whatever needed to be fixed. 

Shirley’s life was filled with quiet strength and unwavering care. She welcomed not only her own children and grandchildren, but also five foreign exchange students, extending her warmth and hospitality across cultures and generations. Her days were marked by simple joys—morning coffee, puzzles, card games, and reading.

She was a woman of deep faith and community spirit.  She supported the church through involvement in the Blessed Sacrament Church Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Rita 534 and as the bookkeeper for Blessed Sacrament Church. She also was part of community organizations of Eagle Auxiliary Aerie #1362, Florence Extension Club and spent many hours traveling with Vincent for his many civic roles.  She offered her steady presence in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren by attending their many activities over the years. Her legacy lives on in the values she instilled, the traditions she upheld, and the love she gave so freely.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Vincent of 64 years; her parents Fred and Eveline Gilbery; her in-laws Frank and Veronica Flemming; brothers Charles and Kenny Gilbery; grandchildren James Flemming, Maria Stangeland, and Travis Kasuske; and Vincent’s siblings Mary Jo Flemming, Madelyn Kozitza, Bernard and John Flemming.

She is survived by her children Margaret (Mark) Knutson, Charles (Marie) Flemming, Edwin (Jackie) Flemming, Veronica Flemming-Ward, Barbara (Jason) Stangeland, Leslie (Sarah) Flemming, Matthew (Marcie) Flemming, and Denis (Kristi) Flemming; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister Jean (Jay) Melquist and  brother David (Tammy) Gilbery, sisters-in-law Trudy (Charles) and Kathy (Kenny) Gilbery, Janice (John) Flemming and Joan (Bernard) Hemp, brothers-in-law Paul (Connie) and Francis Flemming, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

In honor of Shirley’s lifelong love for children and her generous spirit, the family invites attendees to donate children’s clothing items up to age 18 to adorn the altar at her funeral. These will be donated to the Foster Closet in Sioux Falls which provides support to children placed in foster care from newborn to 18 years old across the state of South Dakota. Specific items on the Foster Closet list this time of year are new underwear, socks and shoes for school age children as they prepare to return to school. They also appreciate gift cards to purchase these items.

May Shirley’s memory be a blessing to all who knew her, and may her life inspire continued kindness and love.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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