Rapid City: Gwendolyn “Max” Shelton, 85, of Rapid City passed away on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Gwendolyn Maxine was born July 31, 1925, to Sebe and Nora (Larson) DeYoung in Redfield, S.D. Max was united in marriage to James W. Shelton on Aug. 25, 1943, in Britton, S.D. They were business owners in Illinois for many years before moving to Rapid City in 1982. Many people would remember Max from the family business, Happy Joe's Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor on Campbell Street. Maxine has enjoyed the last 10 years at Echo Ridge, before moving to her current home at the Good Samaritan Society in New Underwood.
Grateful for having shared her life are her two sons, Gerry Shelton and wife, Judy, of Rapid City, Larry Shelton and Carol of Antioch, Ill.; two sisters, Edythe Steigelmeier of Britton, Joane Peterson and husband, Wally, of Bull Head City, Ariz.; one brother, Donald DeYoung and Harriett, of Poway, Calif.; five grandchildren, John Shelton and wife, Kelly, of Panama City, Fla., Kelly Shelton Wickersham and husband, Tim, of Rapid City, Dena Shelton Onley and husband, Donnie, of Edgerton, Wis., Stephen Rodriguez of Rockford, Ill., Tammy Rae Tillery of Kentucky; and seven great-grandchildren: Brooke, Tyler, Jenny, Jesse, Alyssa, Jenna and Paige.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James, in 2004; infant daughter, Gwendolyn Marie; her parents and stepfather, Thomas VanStone.
A memorial service with inurnment will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the Britton Cemetery with Pastor Deb Mack officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at the United Methodist Church in Britton.
Family and friends may sign Max's online guest book at kirkfuneralhome.com.
