Shirley Ann Blackstad

Shirley Ann Leapold was born on the family farm in Des Moines Township, Murray County, Minnesota. The daughter of Lloyd and Gladys (Pooch) Leapold. She grew up and attended country school in that area. Shirley loved living on the farm, she milked cows and enjoyed helping with farm work. She was united in marriage to Joe Blackstad on April 29, 1956, they raised 4 sons, farmed near Godahl for 25 years and later divorced. Shirley worked at Tony Downs and Del Monte doing line work for several years. She lived in St. James for several years before moving to Hanska in 2011. She enjoyed embroidery, cooking and socializing. She is survived by her children; Sandra Schrader of Rochester, Gary (Elaine) Blackstad of St. James, Clay Blackstad and special friend Janet Andersen of St. James, Larry & Linda (Meyer) Blackstad of St. James, Harley Blackstad and special friend Cindy Simpson of Hanska, ex-husband Joe Blackstad, sisters; Marian (Carol) Rieffer of Sioux Falls, SD, Ruth (Floyd) Knakmuhs of Westbrook, Norma Burns and special friend Jerry Sunderman of Madison Lake, 16 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, nieces/nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law Leonard Schrader, brothers-in-law Ernest Blackstad, Jerry Burns, sister-in-law Mae Lantz and her husband Everat Lantz. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Monday, October 26, 2015 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 9:30 am - 10:30 am Tuesday, October 27, 2015 First Presbyterian Church, St. James 706 3rd Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Tuesday, October 27, 2015 First Presbyterian Church, St. James 706 3rd Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Fellowship Fellowship and lunch to follow burial.