Mary Louise Parker Shipley was born June 13, 1924 in Winner, SD to Arthur and Martha (Sommerfeld) Parker. Mary was the youngest of nine children. She attended 1 ^st and 2 ^nd grades in a rural Winner school, then the family moved to the Littleburg Community where she attended the Wade School and Littleburg School.

Mary was baptized on December 23, 1939. She was confirmed in the Lutheran Church in October, 1946.

Mary married Eugene C. Shipley on April 4 ^th , 1942. They had 3 children: Gary Eugene, Robert Leroy, and Marilyn Kay.

They lived in Maryville, California where Gene was stationed in the service for one year. Mary worked in a peach factory from 5:00 PM until midnight and occasionally as a laundry checker. When Gene went to the Indio Desert in California on maneuvers, Mary lived in Coolidge, AZ with his parents. Following Gene's term in the Army, which included his service in World War II, they moved to Igloo, SD. One year later they returned to Valentine where they farmed and raised cattle. Gene and Mary contracted carrying mail for the U.S. Post Office (Lakeview Route) in September of 1948.  They carried mail for 42 years.

Mary was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the Table Top Talent Extension Club (40 years), and a project leader for the Northside Ramblers 4-H Club.

Mary and Gene belonged to a square dance club and enjoyed attending neighborhood barn dances as well as dances at Midway, Littleburg, and other places around the community. They traveled with friends to Deadwood, Branson, Montana and other areas. They were active participants at the Senior Center.

Mary enjoyed working, whether it was tending her garden, cleaning up the place, cooking, or caring for children and grandchildren. If you were at their place for a meal, you never went away hungry! She worked beside Gene in the hayfield, helped with chores, and carried mail. Mary enjoyed playing cards, reading, visiting, and doing crafts.  She always had a sense of humor and liked to joke with family and friends.

They moved to Cherry Hills Estates in 2007 due to Gene's declining health. Mary was a faithful caregiver to Gene for 66 years.

In 2019, Mary was cared for at Pineview Nursing Home in Valentine until November 11, 2021.

Mary departed this earthly life to be with her Heavenly Father on November 23, 2021 at the age of 97 at Parkside Manor Nursing Home in Stuart, NE.

She is survived by her children Gary (Barbara) Shipley, Marilyn (Ken) Stephens; grandchildren Rhonda McBride, Pam (Joe) Dobrovolny, Jennifer (Alan) Roland, Kendra (Jason) Wright, Melissa Stephens, Kayla Stephens; great grandchildren Michelle, Jake (Hannah), and Zach (Dana) Dobrovolny; Tara and Lindsay McBride; Parker Shipley-Roland; Taylor and Jenna Wright; Owen Hanson, Dakota & Laken Krogman; great-great-grandson Brecken Dobrovolny; nieces, nephews & friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eugene; infant son Robert; and siblings Helen Morgan, Sanford Parker, John Parker, William Parker, Ida Shultz, Edward Parker, Martha Chamberlain, & Clem Parker.

Funeral service for Mary Shipley age 97 of Valentine will be held on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 10:00 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Valentine.  Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine.  Visitation will be on Friday, at 3:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines.  Mrs. Shipley passed away on Nov. 23 in Stuart, NE.