Shirley Tate, 88

Shirley Tate, age 88 of Winner, SD, passed away Friday, December 15, 2023 at the Winner Long Term Care Center. She was born to Earl and Christine (Schmidt) Luedke on July 26, 1935 in Todd County, SD.

While growing up in the Lakeview area, Shirley attended a one room school for six years. Her family later moved to Mission. Shirley’s mother passed away when she was just 13 years old. She then went to live with her uncle and aunt, George and Mildred Schmidt, and attended Midway School. During high school, Shirley lived with her brother and his wife, Norman (Bud) and Shirley Luedke.

Shirley graduated from Todd County High School in 1953. She attended college classes in Brookings, SD. During this time, she had many different jobs including working at the dorm as a nanny for four rambunctious girls, and at the college library for 35 cents an hour.

In 1956, Shirley married Richard Tate in Mission, SD. So began a partnership that lasted almost 61 years and blessed them with three children and many grand and great grandchildren.

After receiving her teaching degree from Black Hills State University, she taught at several rural schools including Lone Hill, Okreek and Klein. Jerry Whittle said “To teach is to touch a life forever.” In the 29 years Shirley taught school, she touched many lives.

Richard and Shirley made their home on Hidden Timber Road where Richard grew up. Shirley loved animals and helped Richard ranch any way she could including nursing baby pigs and the occasional stray animal the kids brought home.

She was very industrious. She loved to sew and made beautiful quilts, donating many to Cherry County Hospital for newborns. Shirley loved to watch her garden grow as well as her grandchildren. She grew anything you could think of in the garden and was the best cook around.

Grandchildren rarely left her house without an ice cream bucket full of her famous monster cookies. She was very proud of her family and each one of her children and grandchildren. Shirley cherished time spent with her beloved family, friends, and neighbors.

Shirley is survived by her children, Susan and David Love, David Tate, and Robert and Tammi Tate; eight grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one on the way, along with nephews Andrew Luedke and Charles Mack.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Earl and Christine Luedke, brothers, Oliver, Norman, and Virgil, husband, Richard, two grandchildren, Rothley Larson and Rauleigh Linse, and daughter-inlaw Rhoda Tate.

Services were held Friday, December 22, 2023 at Holmes Funeral Home in Valentine with burial following at Mount Hope Cemetery, Valentine.

Online guest book available at www.HolmesFH.com.