Shirley Ann Podenski

Shirley Ann Podenski died in her home of congestive heart failure on February 6, 2015. Shirley was born January 8th 1931 to Sarah Harter (Young) and Milton Luther King in Ellendale North Dakota. She had three brothers and two sisters. In 1949, at the age of 18, she met the love of her life, Raymond (Bud) Podenski and after three years of courting and countless hours on the dance floor, he proposed. They were together over 50 years until his death in 2004. They were inseparable and loved to dance, travel, and play cards. They adored their two daughters, LaRae Paisley of Mindoro Wisconsin and Sara Riddle of Gillette Wyoming. Our mother was a hero. She wasn't a firefighter or a policeman or even a doctor; she was a homemaker. She cooked, she cleaned, and she raised two girls and she always said she raised Dad too. She came from farm country and she worked from sunup until sundown and made sure her two girls had everything they desired. She taught them respect for their elders, respect for each other, and she taught them love. She raised them by example. She was loyal, she was honest, and she said what was on her mind without hesitation. She didn't believe in gossip and she was the best listener that anyone could possibly know. If you spoke to her in confidence you could be assured in never left her lips. She showed that family, faith in our Lord, and love was all that was needed to succeed in life. She was a private woman who was kind, funny, and beautiful. She could make you laugh, she could make you cry, and she was fierce when it came to protecting those she loved. Our mother was a no-nonsense tells it like it is, spitfire of a woman who was adored and feared alike. She was full of the devil and usually somewhere in trouble with her best friend of many years, who she felt was her soul sister; Glenda Bettis of Denver Colorado.Shirley was a strong woman who braved cancer and heart surgery. She was considered a poster child for recovery according to her doctors as she exceeded expectations for both of these ordeals, but bacterial meningitis was her hardest battle and she bravely fought to maintain composure and dignity throughout this time with the help of her children and her grandchildren Lauren Schirado, Jesse and Cameron Riddle, and Nichole Bielafeldt. Shirley is survived by her brother, Larry King of Kulm, North Dakota, her two daughters, Jeane LaRae and (Richard) Paisley of Mindoro Wisconsin, and Sara Beth and (Jaime) Riddle of Gillette Wyoming, 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews whom she adored. There will be a private burial scheduled at Black Hills National Cemetery at a later date to accommodate family of this very private, most admired, legacy of a woman who will be greatly missed by her family. We miss you already and look forward to seeing you and Daddy in heaven. We are thankful for the time we had with you. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 W 5th Street Gillette, WY 82716 or on their website, www.gillettememorialchapel.comFuneral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716