Shirley Mae Vande Voorde

SHIRLEY MAE (GUIDROZ) VANDA VOORDE was born on January 22, 1933 in Port Barre, Louisiana to Cleus and Mae (Stelly) Guidroz. She was baptized in Port Barre at St. Landry Parish. She grew up with her family in Opelousas, Louisiana. She attended both grade school and high school in Opelousas. After high school, Shirley met Ramie while working as a waitress at the Blue Moon Ballroom. On August 28, 1951, they were united in marriage at St. Landry Parish while Ramie was on leave from the service. After Ramie's service was finished they continued their life on the farm in Troy Township near Pipestone. While there, Shirley and Ramie were blessed with three children. She was a devoted wife and mother throughout all those years. When Ramie died in 1986, Shirley began working as a paraprofessional in the nurse's office at Brown Elementary School in Pipestone. While she was there she continued to care for and nurture the students all the way through until their graduation. After her retirement she continued to live in her home near Cazenovia until January 8, 2014 when she was admitted into Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On January 11, 2014, Shirley passed away there at the age of 80 years, 11 months, and 19 days. She was just a few days short of her 81st birthday.

Shirley was a member at St. Leo Catholic Church where she was an active member of the Catholic Daughters. Shirley's calling in life was to be compassionate to those who needed caring.

Shirley is survived by three children, Mike (Judi) Vande Voorde of Sioux Falls, Laura (Mel) Bottin of Tracy, Minnesota, and Donnie Vande Voorde of Pipestone; two grandchildren, Alicia and Tom; two great-grandchildren, Miranda and Tia; and one sister-in-law, Georgia Guidroz.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one brother, Jay C. Guidroz.

Blessed be her memory.