Merle Andrew (Andy) Shelbourn passed away at the Good Samaritan Home in Jackson, MN on October 27, 2022, at the age of 92 years old.
Andy was born July 30, 1930, in Valentine to Joseph and Caroline Lurz Shelbourn. He grew up on the family farm and attended a one room country school in Littleburg. Andy graduated from Todd County High School in 1948. Andy was needed on the farm after high school while his two older brothers served in the military. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and served as an airplane mechanic. While he was stationed in Los Angeles, Andy met Annie Pedersen at a dance. They were married on April 5, 1952. The couple transferred to Rome, New York, and then to the Azores Islands, where their first child Shirley was born in 1954. Daughter Linda was born in 1955, and their son Keith in 1958.
Andy returned to farm in Todd County in 1955 after he was discharged. The family moved to Brookings, SD, where Andy earned a degree in Agriculture at SDSU in 1963.
The family lived in Menno, Leola, and Belle Fourche, SD, where Andy worked for the Soil Conservation Service. Andy and Annie settled in
Sturgis as empty nesters. He was passionate about the Black Hills. Together they explored, camped, hiked, canoed, fished, and cross country skied all over the Hills.
Their active lifestyle was cut short by Annie’s dementia, and they moved to Jackson, MN, to be near their children. Andy visited Annie at Good Samaritan every day and loved her at every stage of her illness. When his own health declined, he joined her at Good Samaritan.
Andy enjoyed working with computers and writing about his experiences. He liked reading about history, especially WWII. He and Annie danced beautifully together to local bands. Their favorite song was the Anniversary Waltz.
Merle Andrew Shelbourn is survived by Annie, his wife of 70 years; daughters Shirley Dafoe of Alpha, MN, and Linda (Charlie) Clarksean of Alpha; son Keith Shelbourn of Minneapolis; his brother Alan (Karen) Shelbourn; four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Andy was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Lena Shelbourn, brothers Joe and Dan, sisters Marjory and his twin sister Ann, and Ida Moe.
