Donnell Vergene Shipley, 81, of Sturgis died January 14, 2024, in Sturgis.
Cremation has taken place per Donnell’s wishes and a memorial service will be held sometime in the spring.
Donnell “Cookie” Shipley was born April 18, 1942, at Mobridge to Theodore and Leota (Reide) Carls. She was raised in Timber Lake, where she graduated from high school in 1960. She remained in Timber Lake for a couple years, then at the age of 21 moved to Rapid City to attend National College of Business. Upon graduating Cookie moved to Sturgis, where she work at Fort Meade. She married Harold Shipley, and they raised their family of three children, Penny, Jeffrey and Craig. Cookie became a stay-at-home mom when
April 18, 1942— January 14, 2024
her youngest son, Craig, was born.
In 1981, she re-entered the working world at the Meade County State’s Attorney’s Office. She later worked at South Dakota Department of Social Services for a time, before retiring.
After her husband, Harold, died in 1993, she reunited with her high school sweetheart, Melvin “Gunny” Gunderson of Timber Lake.
Cookie’s life was her family, her yard, and gardening.
Cookie is survived by her special life partner, Melvin “Gunny” Gunderson of Sturgis and Timber Lake; children Penny (Randy) Kutz of Rapid City, Jeffrey Shipley of Sturgis, and Craig (Alice) Shipley of Sturgis; brother Dennis “Butch” (Pat) Carls; sister Carla Carls; brother-in-law Dennis Shipley; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold, and sisters Marlene and Roberta.
A memorial has been established.
(The family’s address is 1613 Spruce St., Sturgis, SD 57785.)