Yvonne B. Shell

Yvonne B. Shell passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025, surrounded by family in Arizona.

She was born on December 30, 1935, to John and Hilda Merrick on the family farm — the only place she would have ever wanted to enter the world. Yvonne had a deep and lifelong love for the rural farmland of South Dakota. She was the second of five children and, at the age of two, survived a near-fatal case of “dust lung” caused by the 1930s drought. She credited a local, country doctor with saving her life.

The Merrick family moved several times in her early years, working as sharecroppers, before eventually purchasing their own farm near Erwin, SD. Yvonne graduated from Erwin High School in 1953 and went on to attend Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD. After six months of coursework, she began teaching in a rural school in Kingsbury County, continuing her studies part-time. She often took semesters off to work at the egg plant in Lake Preston to save for tuition. With hard work, determination, and the support of her brother-in-law, Dale Kerr, Yvonne earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

She began her teaching career in Canton, South Dakota, where she formed lifelong friendships and developed a passion for travel. One of her favorite memories was a cross-country trip to the 1964 New York World's Fair.

Yvonne later moved to Rapid City to teach, where she first met her future husband, Ed. After a brief courtship, the two went their separate ways. Soon after, she received offers to teach in Green Bay, WI, and Lompoc, CA. Drawn to the warmer weather and ocean, she chose Los Angeles. By pure coincidence, Ed made a phone call to Yvonne’s sister-in-law, Sandy Merrick, inquiring how to contact her. Ed was living in Los Angeles at the time, and the two resumed dating, eventually getting married on June 11, 1966. 

After several years in California, Ed was offered a position with Lake Area Vocational School in Watertown, SD. Yvonne was thrilled to return near her childhood home and accepted a position teaching third grade at McKinley School.

In 1968, Ed and Yvonne welcomed their first child, Doug. Yvonne later transferred to Grant Elementary, where she taught third and fifth grades and made some of her dearest friends. Their second child, Derek, was born in 1978. Yvonne often said she would have had ten children if she could.

Before retiring in 2000, she completed her career at Jefferson Elementary, teaching fifth grade. Teaching was not just her job — it was her calling. She never complained about a student and loved every child she taught. Being around children brought her unmatched joy.

Yvonne also loved to travel and spent many happy years on the road with friends from the Vintiques Car Club. She also loved riding behind Ed on their Harley-Davidson motorcycle — wind in her hair and joy in her heart.

Shortly after retiring, she and Ed moved to the Hill City, SD area. After 16 years together there, Ed passed away, and Yvonne remained for another five years before relocating to Arizona to be closer to her sons and grandchildren.

She had a strong wish to make it to 90 years old — and though she fell short by just 2.5 months, after a full life with Ed, Doug, and Derek, we’re going to say she made it. Mom, you earned it.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, John and Hilda Merrick; her siblings John Merrick, Autumn Kerr, and Bill Merrick; and her beloved husband, Edward Shell.

She is survived by her sons Doug (Leslie) Shell and Derek Shell; her cherished grandchildren Carter Shell and Margo Shell; her sister Roxanne (Keith) Hermson; her sister-in-law Sandy Merrick; and 11 nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers include the thousands of children she inspired and taught, the teachers who became lifelong friends, and the treasured members of her beloved car club.

Family directed celebration of life will be held on November 8th at 10:30 AM at Holy Name Catholic Church, with burial to follow at Maplewood Cemetery, Iroquois, SD.

All are welcome, as Yvonne loved life — and especially loved those who shared it with her.

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

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