Rev. Dwane H. SHAY

SHAY, CHRISTOPHER, JOHNSON, SHELDON, SERSTOCK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:54

13 June 1926 --- 7 April 2010

Rev. Dwane H. Shay, 83 went to be with his Lord on April 7, 2010 surrounded by his family at Banner Gardens Hospice House in Mesa, AZ. His memorial service will be held at Victory Lutheran, in Mesa, AZ, on Monday April 12 at 2:00 pm and a second service at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, SD on Friday, April 16 at 1:00 pm. Family will be present at the church 1 hour prior to both services. The Houseman Funeral Home in Clear Lake, SD is in charge of the arrangements.

Dwane was born in Mitchell, SD on June 13, 1926 to Elmer and Hattie (Christopher) Shay. He graduated from Letcher High School, Augustana College (1950) and Luther Seminary (1954). Dwane served as a Lutheran Pastor in Artesian, Forestburg, Woonsocket, Clear Lake, Harford and Arlington-all in South Dakota. He served as Interim Pastor in number of parishes in SD, IA, and southwest Minnesota. Dwane was known as a "visiting pastor" and was involved in all aspects of each community he served.

He was an amateur carpenter and he and his sons designed and built a home at Lake Cochrane, SD. He loved gardening and was noted for sharing his produce with others. Flowers were another of his hobbies and his yards were always filled with blooms. Besides traveling around the US as a young family, he and his wife were able to travel to Hawaii, Europe and Brazil in retirement.

His children were involved in many sports in high school and college and he was a faithful spectator at most of their events. He enjoyed being with his four grandchildren- he recently enjoyed following his grandson in college football and rarely missed any of his games. The past 19 years he and his wife enjoyed wintering in Arizona and have made many friends there. He was a volunteer chaplain at Banner Hospital for 5 winters in AZ.

Dwane married his wife of 55 years, Lila Jean Johnson at Belmond, Iowa June 15th, 1954. To this union 3 children were born.

He is survived by his wife, Lila; His children, David (Linda), Minneapolis, Deb (Steve) Sheldon, Mesa AZ and four grandchildren, Andrew and Liz Shay, and Hannah and Ethan Sheldon plus several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, twin sister Doris Serstock, and son Doug.