Shirley Young

Shirley Mae (Chappell) Young, 93, passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Wishek Living Center in Wishek. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 2, at 11:00, at the United Methodist Church in Edgeley, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Manor St Joseph in Edgeley.

     Shirley Mae (Chappell) was born September 29, 1930, in LaMoure to Amanda (Orness) and Earle Chappell of rural Dickey, ND, joining sisters Gwen and Marian. A brother, Wally, joined the family in 1935. She was baptized into the Methodist faith October 1932 by her grandfather, Rev. T.J. Chappell.

      Shirley received her education grades 1-3 at Roscoe Rural School and grades 4-12 at Dickey School, graduating in 1948. She then attended Valley City State Teacher’s College, graduating in 1950. Her first teaching position was grade 2 at LaMoure Public School. Other teaching positions were Nora #2 (all grades), Russel (all grades), Edgeley Public School (kindergarten and grades 2 and 3), and Fairview Hutterite Colony (grades 4-8).

     Shirley married James Bethke June 9, 1951, in Williston, ND. They lived with the Bethke family, where James farmed and had dairy cattle. To this union two children were born, Karen and David. James and his brother Louis died in a car accident August 30, 1957. Shirley and children returned to her parental home in Dickey, living there until the spring of 1961. They then returned to Edgeley where Shirley taught Edgeley’s first kindergarten. They lived with Amelia Bethke in Edgeley until Shirley remarried. Shirley and James Young, Merricourt, were married in Aberdeen, SD, September 21, 1961. James (Tracy and Kristi) and Shirley adopted each other’s children from their first marriages. To this union one daughter was born, Marla. They farmed and raised beef cattle on their farm near Merricourt. James was also a rural mail carrier, until his stroke in 1991, when he had to discontinue all operations. James died in 2003.  Shirley lived in Linton, Kulm, Edgeley, and Bismarck prior to entering Manor St Joseph in Edgeley in 2020. She entered Wishek Living Center on January 2, 2024.

     Shirley’s favorite pastimes were crocheting, embroidery, reading, playing cards, spending time with family and friends, and playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

     Shirley was preceded in death by her husbands, her parents, a niece, sister-in-law Darlene Chappell, and siblings Gwen, Marian, and Wally. She is survived by her children Karen Hughes, Tracy (Roger) Roeszler, Kristi Young, David (Pam) Young, Marla (Neal) Berntson, 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

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