Life Story for Myrtle "Ann" Harvey
Myrtle Ann Harvey, always preferred to be known as Ann, was born on July 30, 1930. As a twin born minutes after Merle Andy, she was the fifth child of seven to Joseph and Lena Shelbourn. Ann weighed three pounds at birth and was literally set aside in an attempt to save Andy. Her tenacious cries were heard and her feisty spirit was clearly defined at that time.
Ann resided all but the last 16 months of her life in the Littleburg Community. She spent her first 18 years on her parents’ ranch east of Littleburg. She attended a one room country school through 8th grade. Ann told her children many stories of her siblings’ and her long, treacherous journeys to and from school in the harsh winter months. Ann attended Todd County High School from 1944-1948. She won the honor of being Homecoming Queen her senior year. After graduating from high school, Ann completed her required teach training at Black Hills State College and taught elementary school for three years. She immensely enjoyed her students.
In 1951, Ann married Tom Harvey. They spent their entire married life sacrificing to build their ranch and raise their family north of Valentine in the Littleburg community. Tom and Ann gave life to five children: Karen, Albert, Matt, Terri and Christian. Being a mother was Ann’s purpose in life. After their children left home, Tom and Ann had time to devote to one another. They began to travel and took long drives just for the sake of being together. In Ann’s words, “The longer we were married, the happier we became.”
Following Tom’s death in 1995, Ann became quite independent. She began driving across the state of Nebraska to visit her children and flew across the Unites States to visit her brother. Because of her love of dancing, Ann began to go to area dances and met her new dancing partner, Bill Grimm. She enjoyed gardening, dancing and traveling with Bill for two years until he died unexpectedly in 2006. Ann loved gardening and often commented that tending her multiple flower beds and vegetable gardens were her ‘saving grace’ in times of grief.
Ann continued to love music and to dance until nearly the end of her life. She maintained her sense of humor and positive attitude through her toughest times. Ann loved life and people - always looking out for those who needed extra support or care.
She had a great sense of style. Her youthful clothes from the 1940’s are still appreciated by her granddaughters. She always made sure her hair was combed, her apron was off and her lipstick applied before she served the meal that was a labor of love. Her many closets of clothes kept her in style through her 80’s and she loved her high heels. Still, how most will remember her is seeing her dressed in one of her many plaid shirts and her favorite pair of blue jeans.
Ann spent the last 16 months of her life at Independence House outside of Lincoln, NE. Though her memory had faded, she continued to demonstrate these qualities that had sustained her throughout her life. Ann’s children and grandchildren treasured her fun loving personality; she could make her entire family of children and grandchildren laugh uncontrollably with her ‘fits’ of giggles. We will miss her so…
Ann leaves behind her five children: Karen Harvey (Mike Zulkoski) of Louisville, NE, Albert (Jan Meyers) of Roca, NE, Matt (JJ) of north Valentine, NE, Terry Schrick (Brent) of Firth, NE and Christian (Kris) of north Valentine, NE; 15 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and two brothers: Andy and Alan Shelbourn.
Those preceding her in death were her husband, Tom; great grandson, Waylon; brothers: Joe and Dan; sisters: Marjorie and Ida Louise; and her parents: Joseph and Lena.
Rosary and prayer service was held Tuesday evening with Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine with burial at the Harvey Ranch Cemetery north of Valentine in Todd County, South Dakota. Holmes Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.
Ann resided all but the last 16 months of her life in the Littleburg Community. She spent her first 18 years on her parents’ ranch east of Littleburg. She attended a one room country school through 8th grade. Ann told her children many stories of her siblings’ and her long, treacherous journeys to and from school in the harsh winter months. Ann attended Todd County High School from 1944-1948. She won the honor of being Homecoming Queen her senior year. After graduating from high school, Ann completed her required teach training at Black Hills State College and taught elementary school for three years. She immensely enjoyed her students.
In 1951, Ann married Tom Harvey. They spent their entire married life sacrificing to build their ranch and raise their family north of Valentine in the Littleburg community. Tom and Ann gave life to five children: Karen, Albert, Matt, Terri and Christian. Being a mother was Ann’s purpose in life. After their children left home, Tom and Ann had time to devote to one another. They began to travel and took long drives just for the sake of being together. In Ann’s words, “The longer we were married, the happier we became.”
Following Tom’s death in 1995, Ann became quite independent. She began driving across the state of Nebraska to visit her children and flew across the Unites States to visit her brother. Because of her love of dancing, Ann began to go to area dances and met her new dancing partner, Bill Grimm. She enjoyed gardening, dancing and traveling with Bill for two years until he died unexpectedly in 2006. Ann loved gardening and often commented that tending her multiple flower beds and vegetable gardens were her ‘saving grace’ in times of grief.
Ann continued to love music and to dance until nearly the end of her life. She maintained her sense of humor and positive attitude through her toughest times. Ann loved life and people - always looking out for those who needed extra support or care.
She had a great sense of style. Her youthful clothes from the 1940’s are still appreciated by her granddaughters. She always made sure her hair was combed, her apron was off and her lipstick applied before she served the meal that was a labor of love. Her many closets of clothes kept her in style through her 80’s and she loved her high heels. Still, how most will remember her is seeing her dressed in one of her many plaid shirts and her favorite pair of blue jeans.
Ann spent the last 16 months of her life at Independence House outside of Lincoln, NE. Though her memory had faded, she continued to demonstrate these qualities that had sustained her throughout her life. Ann’s children and grandchildren treasured her fun loving personality; she could make her entire family of children and grandchildren laugh uncontrollably with her ‘fits’ of giggles. We will miss her so…
Ann leaves behind her five children: Karen Harvey (Mike Zulkoski) of Louisville, NE, Albert (Jan Meyers) of Roca, NE, Matt (JJ) of north Valentine, NE, Terry Schrick (Brent) of Firth, NE and Christian (Kris) of north Valentine, NE; 15 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and two brothers: Andy and Alan Shelbourn.
Those preceding her in death were her husband, Tom; great grandson, Waylon; brothers: Joe and Dan; sisters: Marjorie and Ida Louise; and her parents: Joseph and Lena.
Rosary and prayer service was held Tuesday evening with Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine with burial at the Harvey Ranch Cemetery north of Valentine in Todd County, South Dakota. Holmes Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.