Shirley Bisgard

Shirley Bisgard, 93, of Watertown, SD, and formerly of Waubay, SD, passed away on Monday, September 12, 2022, at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, SD.

Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday, September 19, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church in Waubay. Burial will be at Egeland Lutheran Church Cemetery at 1:30 following a luncheon and time of fellowship.

Visitation will be 4-6 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Closing with a Prayer Service at 6 P.M. 

Shirley Lena Zubke was born on January 12, 1929, to Erich and Ida (Neckels) Zubke at Waubay, South Dakota. The family then moved to Grassy Butte, North Dakota. Growing up, she helped on the farm. The family moved back to South Dakota when Shirley was a teenager, where she helped with the farming operation.

Shirley met the love of her life, Coleman Bisgard at a dance in Waubay, she said she “just knew” he was the one. The couple married on January 12, 1953, at Zion Lutheran Church in Waubay. Together, they raised five daughters and as a family worked side by side at the farm.

Shirley was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she was active in ladies aid. She was also a member of the Waubay American Legion Auxiliary. Shirley was an amazing cook and baker, known for her delicious donuts. She loved to treat her neighbors with baked goodies when they would stop by, and nobody left Shirley’s house hungry. She also enjoyed gardening and spending time with her family.

She will be greatly missed by her daughters, Elvina Hamman of Watertown, SD, Susan (Pat) Tracy of Yutan, NE, Cindy (Ken) Reinbold of Aberdeen, SD, Nancy Bisgard of Watertown, SD, and Shelly Endres of Watertown, SD. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Josh (Erin) Clayton of Pierre, SD, Dan Clayton of Arlington, SD, Kylie (Kevin) Tracy of Omaha, NE, Kami (Eric) Tsai of Joliet, IL, Jason (Randi) Leimkuhl of Colorado Springs, CO, Jesse Leimkuhl (Amber Eggert) of Alexandria, MMN, Justin (Judon) Reinbold of Aberdeen, SD, Colton Endres of Watertown, SD, and Jordan Endres of Watertown, SD  as well as 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, six brothers, one sister, and a son-in-law Larry Hamman.