Claire Shella

Claire Joan (Sanderson) Shella lived most of her life in Jasper, Minnesota, and the teachings and values passed down to her children and grandchildren create a legacy that will endure. She died at the age of 85 on August 27, 2017 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota following an unexpected setback in her health after a long and rewarding life.

She was born to C.H. (Hap) and Coral (Oaks) Sanderson in Hudson, South Dakota on November 4, 1931. The family moved to Jasper in 1937 when Hap took a position at the Jasper State Bank, the day before she started first grade. Claire graduated from Jasper High School in 1949. She was active in school and was the yearbook editor. She continued her education at the Mankato Commercial College and landed a job at the Manchester Biscuit Company in Sioux Falls where her job was to figure out the price of the cookies for the company. After one year, Hap convinced her to return to Jasper to work with him at the bank. She married John Shella on July 20, 1952 at the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church. Following their marriage, they lived in Jasper and Claire continued to work at the bank. While raising their two sons and five daughters, she worked on income taxes out of their home for ten years and was a census worker until 1980. John preceded her in death on May 9, 2004.

Claire loved the pace of a large, active family. She was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. She organized blood drives as an American Red Cross volunteer. She took part in the American Legion Auxiliary, Study Club, Meals on Wheels, Red Hats, and she worked the polls on Election day. Church was a big part of Claire’s life. She volunteered in many capacities at the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was active in Circle, WELCA, quilting, choir and served on the Church Council. She was known as “Claire Bear” to family members and made quilts for each of her 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She loved to travel to visit them and was thrilled to visit Africa, China, Scandinavia and most of the United States. Claire looked forward to the family reunions known as “Shellabrations”.

Claire is survived by her six children: Jack (Don Huntley), San Francisco; Jim (Connie), Indianapolis; Carrie (Dan) Riggs, Cottonwood Falls, KS; Barb (Steve) Huff, Oconomowoc, WI; Beth (Tom) Arneberg, Chippewa Falls, WI; and Joann (Jim) Arneberg, Xiamen, China; her son-in-law Scott Shella-Stevens, Burnsville; her grandchildren Katherine (Dave Adair) Shella, Leah (Brandon) Strong, Megan (Shawn) Heinen, Sam (Krista) Huff, Benjamin (Camille), Alison, Jasper, David, and Simon Arneberg, Isaac and Matthew Shella-Stevens, Grace, Levi, Rachel, and Jesse Arneberg; and her great-grandchildren, Claire, Charles, and Jack Strong and August and Mercy Heinen. Claire is also survived by a sister, Marjory (Charles) Hey of Sioux Falls; sisters-in-law, Lois Shella and Doris Rudell; nieces, a nephew and many dear friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, John; her daughter, Sarah Shella-Stevens; and her grandson, Andrew Shella.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Jasper ELCA, the American Red Cross, and the Andy Shella Scholarship fund (c/o American Diabetes Association).