Shirley Geraldine (Peterson) Clements was born on July 3, l930 in Gillette,WY. She was the youngest child of Sylvan Ingwerson Peterson and Irene May (Deaver) Peterson. She had two sisters, Betty Marie (Peterson)McKay/Jeske, and Lois Jean (Peterson) Yake. They lived at the Wyodak housing camp until 1942 when they moved to Gillette for her junior high and high school years, graduating in 1948. Her family lived on the outskirts of town, and she walked to school downtown.

Shirley attended Nursing School in Rapid City in the fall of 1948 through spring of 1949. She met a handsome returning Navy man, Bob Clements while volunteering at the Gillette hospital and they were married November 10, 1949. In their lifetime they lived in a basement apartment, bunkhouse, motel, sheep wagon, old wooden cabin, ranch houses and houses in town. Some had running water, but many didn’t in the early days and a couple of them had a mountain lion as are  resident stalker, but they always had a zest for life and family. No matter what, this happy couple were said to be “great dancers”and it continued for their lifetime.

Their daughter Kay was born in February 1953, and their daughter Deb was born in May 1954. Bob and Shirley worked at several ranch jobs including Harold Scott, Lynn Tarver and Clarence and Suzie Butcher.The family lived in Gillette and Wyodak over the next few years.Shirley worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the elementary school.

Family camping in Yellowstone and at Flathead Lake, along with water skiing trips at Keyhole and Lake DeSmet were fun times with Yakes, McKaysand Petersons. But a ‘rained out’ fishing trip in the Big HornMountains led to Bob and Shirley buying a small ranch on Beaver Creek in Sheridan County and moving in September 1963.

Shirley worked for Holly Sugar and the Sheridan County Treasurer’s office.After the kids left home Bob and Shirley loved to “runaway”.Their trips ranged from weekend getaways to cruises. They were notorious for having a good time. Shirley continued to be adventurous after Bob passed away. Going on trips with friends and family.Shirley spent cherished time at the First Christian Church thrift store three days per week. She truly enjoyed working with the super people at the store and worshiping with them at church on Sunday. But then there was football, she was definitely a dedicated NFL fan and loved watching football and keeping track of many of the players.

Family was precious to Shirley. She lovingly followed her grandchildren and their adventures throughout their childhood and then continued her vigilance with her eight great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Sylvan and Irene Peterson;husband, Bob Clements; daughter, Debra Clements; son-in-law, Wayne Daly; sisters, Betty Jeske and Lois Yake; brothers-in-law, Dean McKay, Harold Jeske and Henry Yake; nephew Rick McKay.

Survivors include: daughter, Kay Daly; Granddaughter,Terra (Rollie) Price and family - Brandon Daly, Aliceon Daly, Rolland(Dallas) Price III, Taliah, Amara, Ily, Jaxon and Nova Price Grandson,Patrick (Natalie) Daly and family - Sadi Allee (Justice Hackworth)Hazel Maul, Emma Daly, Ross Daly.Granddaughter,Erin (Randy) Albers and family - Lane Albers, Caleb Albers. Niece,Sherry (Butch) Reynolds.

Nephews, Jay Yake, Lee (Carol) Yake andGarry (Tara) Yake and their families.

Grandma Moses: “I look back on my life like a good day's work, it was done and I am satisfied with it.”

Mae West: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Robert Louis Stevenson: “That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much.”

Our family would like to thank the Primrose and Campbell County Health personnel for their kind and considerate care of our loved one.

A ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held at Kane Funeral Home in Sheridan, WY on Wednesday July 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m Pastor Doug Goodwin officiating with a reception to follow in the Kane Reception Hall.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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