Anna Helen (Pedersen) Shelbourn passed away on May 8, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society in Jackson, Minnesota, at the age of 92.

Annie was born August 17, 1931, in Fords, New Jersey to Viggo and Klara Pedersen, immigrants from Denmark. Her father was a carpenter, and her mother was a seamstress. Annie graduated from high school in 1947.

At age 17, Annie boarded a train by herself and traveled across the country to attend Grand View Danish Lutheran in Des Moines, Iowa. After completing her two-year degree, she drove to California with her girlfriends, looking for jobs and adventure. Annie met Andy Shelbourn at a USO dance in Los Angeles. They were married on April 5, 1952.

The couple transferred to Rome, New York, and then to the Azores Islands where their first child, Shirley, was born in 1954. Daughter Linda was born in 1955 and son Keith in 1958.

Annie and Andy lived on the family farm in Todd County, South Dakota after his discharge from the Air Force. They moved to Brookings, SD where Annie worked as a secretary while Andy earned his degree. The family lived in Menno, Leola, and Belle Fouche, SD. They retired to Sturgis, SD, as empty nesters.

Annie was a lifelong learner and found a way to continue taking college classes wherever she lived. She earned degrees in Psychology, Literature, and Library Science. She was a voracious reader and passed her love of books to her family.

She loved opera, classical music, and Public Radio.

Annie and Andy danced beautifully together to local bands. Their favorite song was the Anniversary Waltz. They enjoyed everything the Black Hills has to offer: camping, hiking, canoeing, and cross country skiing.

She volunteered at the library after her retirement as a secretary at the VA hospital.

Her active lifestyle was cut short by dementia, and she lived for over a decade in a nursing home.

Annie is survived by daughters, Shirley Dafoe and Linda (Charlie) Clarksean of Alpha, MN; son, Keith of Minneapolis; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, as well as other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by Andy, her husband of 70 years; parents, Viggo & Klara Pederson; and brothers, Poul and Hans.

Blessed be the memory of Annie Shelbourn.