Dorothy Shirk

Dorothy Shirk, age 100, Clark, died peacefully in a Clark Care Center early Sunday morning, June 20, 2021.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Furness Funeral Home Chapel at Clark.  Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to services.  Casket bearers will be Gerald Olson, Terry Schlagel, Robert Seefeldt, Todd Warkenthien, David Hink, and Joe Peters.  The pianist will be Dorothy Fuller.   Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Clark.

She was born Dorothy Lee Davis, on September 15, 1920 in Darlington Township, Clark County, the daughter of William Elijah and Maggie (Johnson) Davis.  Dorothy attended the Pollyanna School also in Darlington Township.  She graduated Clark High School in 1939.  Dorothy was baptized in the Plymouth Congregational Church.

Following her schooling she continued living at home and working on the farm.  She met and later married Carrol "Tad" Shirk on July 19, 1941 at the Congregational parsonage in Clark.  After a honeymoon trip to Sioux Falls and Hartley, Iowa, the couple returned to Clark and lived with her parents for the next 14 years.  They engaged in farming with her parents.  In 1943, they moved to a farm in Lincoln Township.  She spent much of her time caring for her aged parents, a physical challenged uncle and cousin, along with others from the area.  Carrol died in June of 1995 after suffering a series of strokes. In 2006 she moved into the City View Apartments and later into the Roetell Assisted Living Center.  Due to health issues she moved into Avantara Clark City care center in April of this year.

Dorothy joined a 4-H Club when she was 10 and then became a 4-H Leader for 20 years in which she served as a past officer of the Clark County 4-H Leaders Association.  She was also involved as a member of the Expansion and Review Committee of Clark County.  She also was a member of the Union Ladies Aid, of Darlington Township and the Happy Hour Charity Workers Club in Merton Township.

Her passion for many years was with the Eastern Star, having served as Worthy Matron of the Clark Chapter #67 of Clark for eight years and served as secretary of the Peace Chapter #1 60 for 30 years.  She also was a member of the Bethlehem Chapter #13 of DeSmet.  She had served as Grand Representative to New Hampshire and later Australia in South Dakota. Over her 50 plus years in the Eastern Star, she served in many various positions.

She was proud of her many years of making chokecherry jelly for Christmas presents, making at least 75 jars annually and for over 50 years, making by hand, 1000 pieces of various flavors of crème candies, covered in hand-dipped chocolate.  They were oh so good!  Dorothy thoroughly enjoyed writing letters most every day and embroidering.  She embroidered many sets of dish towels for generations of her family.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Carrol in 1995, and sisters, Daisy Cook in 1991 and Mabel Seefeldt in 1980.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary (Marvin) Morlock of Eureka, and Sally (Larry) Waterfall of Clark, 9 grandchildren, Maria Keebler, Mark (Heidi) Morlock, Marlow, Marlene, Marcy, and Marty (Jennifer) Morlock, Troy (Rachel) Waterfall, Tonya (Russ) Hibbs, and Trina (Nick) Lien; 21 great-grandchildren, Nicole, William, Garrett, Jenna, Landon, Mikala, Isaac, Ethan, Olivia, Andrew (Shannon), Haylee, Savannah, Jessa, Jayson, Dante, Carrie, Sarah, Jasper, Trent, Jolie, and Triggvie; and three great-great grandchildren, Landen, Tillie Jo, and Jentri. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews and other family members.

Memorials in care of The Eastern Star Home,126 W 12th Ave, Redfield, SD 57469 in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com