Laura M. Shockey
Funeral services for Laura M. Shockey, 80, of Deadwood, will be at 10 a.m. Friday, August 18, at the Chaput Memorial Chapel in Lead. Ministers Richard Harbur and Chris Postma will officiate. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 17, 2000 from 3:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Chaput Memorial Chapel in Lead. Burial will be in the Oakridge Cemetery of Deadwood.
Laura died Monday, Aug. 14, 2000, at the Wesleyan Health Care Center in Rapid City.
Laura May Greene was born July 26, 1920, in Wecota, S.D., to Frank and Anna (Jensen) Greene. After spending her early years on farms in Edmunds and Faulk counties, her father began his blacksmith business in Cresbard.
Laura was determined to complete her high school education, and after dropping out for one year to work for a farm family, returned to school and graduated from Cresbard High School. She was honored as School Queen in her senior year.
On August 16, 1939, Laura was married to Elmer E. Shockey in Aberdeen. They farmed in Faulk County until 1947, when they moved to Deadwood and Elmer began working for Homestake Mining Company. They raised ten children during their many years in Deadwood, nurturing a love of reading and music.
Laura played piano, and with her encouragement, music became an integral part of their family life, which continues today. Her family will always remember the many supportive, caring, and giving ways in which she shared her love with them.
While the focus of her life was her family, she reached out to others as well. ” It never hurts to help somebody,” directed her way of life.
In addition to her family responsibilities, Laura also worked outside of the home. She worked in the cafeterias at the Deadwood School for a time prior to beginning her 31-year career with Northern Hills General Hospital (then St. Joseph Hospital). She began in dietary, and then took a position as Nurses Aide working at the hospital and Nursing Home.
In the years prior to retirement in 1985, she held the position of Physical Therapy Aide. Staff and patients will remember her caring dedication and willingness to help in every situation.
Survivors include three daughters, Karen Balderson, Central City, Linda (Alvin) Krause, Tucson, Ariz., and Carolyn Martin, Little Rock Area, Calif.; six sons, Merle (Candace) Shockey, Arvida, Colo., Richard (Linda) Shockey, Grand Forks, N.D., Lloyd (Kathe) Shockey, Belle Fourche, Roger (Cheryl) Shockey, Rapid City, Gale (Bonnie) Shockey, Belle Fourche, and Kevin (Ginny) Shockey, Rapid City; 24 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a sister, Rose Faithe, Sioux Falls; three brothers, Elmer Green, Faulkton, Irvin (Verna) Greene, Hayti, and Archie (Irene) Greene, Portsmouth, N.H.; and a son-in-law, John Collins, Spearfish.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1970; a daughter, Carlene in 1995; and a sister, Esther,
Arrangements are under the direction of the Chaput Memorial Chapel in Lead.
A memorial has been established in her memory.
Published by Black Hills Pioneer
