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Shirley Ann Van Lake, 98, of Frannie, Wyoming, passed away peacefully Sept. 22, 2025 surrounded by her children.
Shirley was born Aug. 23, 1927 in Mobridge, South Dakota, to William Herbert Shannon and Ruth Julieanna Schmidt. She attended schools in Mobridge and Martin, South Dakota. She attended the University of Nebraska where she majored in physical education, later changing to elementary education. In 1948 she accepted a contract to teach in Powell, Wyoming. It was here that she met Jack Van Lake, the love of her life. They married June 9, 1948. Jack was a farmer and over time they had five children. In 1956, they moved to Frannie where Jack farmed and later was a contract oil field pumper.
Shirley loved cats, birds and squirrels. She enjoyed traveling with Jack and developed an interest in testing her luck on slot machines after he died. Shirley cheered for the Chiefs and Nebraska. She especially liked Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Tom Brady.
She was active in the Methodist Church and Birthday Club. Shirley loved her friends Millie, Marie and Ruby.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Dewey, sister Donna, her husband Jack, son Gary, daughter-in-law Bev and great-granddaughter Aliyah. Shirley is survived by her four children; Connie Gill (Jim), Bill Van Lake (Lori), Jacque Bly (Terry) and Terry Van Lake (Jenny). She was blessed with 16 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Powell with burial to follow at Crown Hill Cemetery.
