Shirley Vosika

A prayer service for Shirley Vosika was held on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the St. John Lutheran Church with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating.

Music was provided by the congregation, accompanied by Sandy Vosika, pianist. Darla Jones, Alison Jares, and Sandi Jones were in charge of registration. Funeral services that were to be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, were postponed to a later date, due to the frigid weather conditions. Shirley Ann (Boes) Vosika was born on August 1, 1939, in Burke, SD, to Jacob and Hulda (Herrmann) Boes. She grew up on the family farm south of Burke with her five sisters and two brothers with Shirley being the youngest. Her brother Leon gave the ultimate sacrifice in July 1944 during the DDay invasion of France.

Being the youngest, Shirley was doted upon by her siblings, but as they each left the farm for their own lives, Shirley spent most of her formative years with her older sister Nola Jean, forming a close bond that would last throughout their lives. Shirley also shared friendships with her other sisters, brother, and then their children, enjoying many Sunday gatherings at the Boes home.

During her later high school years, Shirley started dating Ivan Vosika, who had just returned from the service. Upon graduation in 1959 from Burke High School, she accepted a telephone operator position with Northwestern Bell and moved to Winner. Shirley and Ivan’s relationship continued throughout her 4-1/2 years in Winner, and they married September 2 , 1962, in a double-ring ceremony with her sister Nola Jean and Mr. James Jares. Ivan and Shirley then settled on the Vosika family homestead south of Gregory. They eventually built a new home on the farm in 1979 to support the family that grew to include David, Lori and Dan.

Shirley embraced her life as a farm wife managing the family dairy operation, and she built a reputation as an accomplished dairy-woman. During the entire 40 years of living on the farm, she never shied from the twice daily sacrifice required in milking cows twice a day in rain, sleet, snow, cold or a warm sunny day, all the while rarely missing a sporting, school or other family event.

Shirley provided meals for her family, relatives, hired men or whoever stopped by to visit. She also grew large gardens for many years and tended to her flower beds around the house. She loved to mow her grass short until the dust flew, probably cutting down as much grass as Ivan did alfalfa.

Throughout the years, her numerous nieces and nephews fondly referred to her as Aunt Shirley. She greatly enjoyed their invitations for outings and phone calls to fill her day, particularly the long evening hours in her later years. Her sweet, fun nature, and caring personality also resulted in many friendships. Shirley was a joy to see about the community of Gregory with her quick wit, beautiful smile, and joking nature.

Shirley cherished her grandchildren: Chance, Charity, Faith, and Hope. She loved when her kids and grandkids would come to visit and would greet them at the farm with the light on ready and waiting for hugs. Kyle Wilhelmsen was also considered family to Shirley and Ivan.

At the age of 84, Shirley passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024 at her home on the farm.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Ivan; parents Jake and Hulda; sisters Orvilla (John) Hanig, Vivian (Rueben) Klein, Daryntia Kucera (Joey, Robert and James), Nola Jean (Jim) Jares; brothers Leon, and Naven (Opal) Boes; as well as numerous brothers-and-sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is survived by children David, Lori and Dan; son-in-law and daughters- in-law Galen Britain, Sandy Vosika and Kim Vosika; her four grandchildren Chance and Charity Britain, Faith and Hope Vosika; her sister Wanda Engel; sister-in-law Evelyn Sundquist; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.