Shirley Fiegen Archives - Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Shirley Fiegen

June 13, 2022 by Submitted

Shirley A. Fiegen, 85, of Dell Rapids, passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Her Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 in St. Mary Catholic Church. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 with the Christian Wake Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Kahler-Brende Funeral Home. www.kahlerfh.com

Shirley Ann Fiegen (Goodale) was born on October 3, 1936 in Baltic, South Dakota, the youngest child of Frank and Bethel Goodale. Shirley graduated from Chester High School in 1954. In March of 1954, while on a two week leave from the army, a handsome young man asked Shirley Goodale to marry him. She said yes and they started a lifelong journey together. Shirley married Virgil Fiegen on May 1, 1956 in Dell Rapids, South Dakota. Virgil and Shirley continued to live and farm in the Dell Rapids area until 1966. During that time, they had five children, three boys and two girls. One boy passed shortly after birth. They moved to California in 1966 and they had their 6th child, a son. There was nothing more important to Shirley than family, and she made it her number one priority. She spent her time at home in the early years taking care of her 5 children. As the kids got older, she started her career working for the Downey School District. She started as a teacher’s aide at Ed C Lewis Grade School, and eventually took a job at Downey High School in the attendance office, where she worked until retirement. During her time in California, she made frequent trips to South Dakota with her family to visit friends and relatives. The time spent in California was memorable, but South Dakota was always home. Shirley retired in 1997 and moved back to Dell Rapids. Shirley was married to Virgil for 61 years prior to his death in July of 2017. They were a model of marriage and never left each other’s sides.

Shirley was a loving, caring and dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a great cook whose real joy was baking. She made everyone feel like they were part of the family, and she was like a second mother to many. When her kids brought friends to the house, there was always an offer of dinner, lunch or the many baked goods she made. Kids would come to the house just to get some of her homemade cookies. Chocolate chip was probably the favorite, but pies, cakes and other cookies were gladly eaten. Shirley enjoyed the holidays and especially Christmas, when the family would gather which always brought a special joy to her heart. The one thing Shirley absolutely loved was dancing with the love or her life. She never turned down a chance to dance with Virgil, which brought joy to both of their faces. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 65 and the St Mary Church Alter Society.

During the last five years Shirley struggled with Dementia. She spent time at Touchmark at All Saints in Sioux Falls, Orchard Hills Assisted Living in Dell Rapids, and Edgewood Assisted Living in Brookings. On June 11, 2022 she passed away at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. She was surrounded family during her last week and is now at peace.

Those lucky to have shared her life are her three sons, Jeffrey (Kathy) Dell Rapids, SD; Steven (Stacy) Brandon, SD; Scott (Teri), Sioux Falls, SD; two daughters; Kristi Cabral, Ontario, Ca, Lisa (Jerry) Rush, Montgomery, TX; Her 12 grandchildren; Brian Compton, Kristin Compton, Jerrice Taplett, Jessalee Beilke, Jeremiah Fiegen, Patrick Fiegen, Kirra Fiegen, Jerry Rush, Kylie Rush, Julia Rush, Todd Fiegen and Katherine Johnson; 18 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil; parents, Frank and Bethel Goodale; son, Scott Francis Fiegen; sister, Jean Thompson; brothers; Gerald Goodale and Francis Goodale.

Virgil Fiegen

July 19, 2017 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Mass of Christian Burial for Virgil Fiegen will be held on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. Interment will be in the St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon on Thursday in the funeral home chapel. Family will be present to greet friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and the Christian Wake Service followed by a Rosary will begin at 6:00 p.m. On-line condolences may be left at the Kahler Funeral Home website.

Virgil Cornelius Fiegen was born on December 7, 1934 in Colman, South Dakota, the youngest child of John and Jennie Fiegen. Virgil’s family moved to the Devaney farm in 1936 and later to what is known as the Fiegen farm in 1945. As a teenager he was an active member of 4H/FFA and in March of 1950 won first place in a swine judging contest receiving a trophy and $50. Virgil joined the Army in January, 1954 and served in Korea. A few months later in March of 1954 during his two week leave, he asked Shirley Goodale to marry him. Virgil was discharged from the military in October of 1955. While in the service his citations included: National Defense, Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Virgil returned home to Dell Rapids and on May 1, 1956 he married Shirley Goodale. Virgil and Shirley continued to live and farm in the Dell Rapids area until 1966. During that time they had four children, two boys and two girls. They moved to California in 1966 and they had their 5th child, a son. Virgil worked as an insurance agent for National Life Insurance. In 1986 after 20 years as an insurance agent in Los Angeles County he decided to change careers and went to work for the Los Alamitos School District as a custodian. During his time in California he made frequent trips to South Dakota with his family to visit friends and relatives. He enjoyed his years in California, but always thought of his home as South Dakota. Virgil retired in 1997 and moved back to Dell Rapids. In May of this year he celebrated 61 years of marriage to the love of his live. They were together through thick and thin and never left each other’s sides.

Virgil was an active member of St Dominic Savio Catholic Church in Bellflower, California and St Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids, South Dakota. Virgil enjoyed many hobbies. He had a great love of fishing and camping which he shared with his children and grandchildren. He also loved pheasant hunting, playing cards, shuffleboard and visiting friends, but dancing with the love of his life brought joy to his heart. He was a member of the American Legion Post 65 where he served on the firing squad, chaplain and legion commander. Through his whole life the thing that made him most proud was his family. He was a wonderful husband, great father and a caring grandfather. The little ones always brought a smile to his face.

During the last five years Virgil had many health struggles, but never complained. He spent a short time in the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls and Touchmark at All Saints in Sioux Falls. On July 12, 2017 he suffered a severe head trauma. On July 18, 2017 he succumbed to his injuries and passed away. He was surrounded by his loved ones when he passed and was never alone.

Those lucky to have shared his life include his wife, Shirley; three sons, Jeffrey (fiancé Kathy) Dell Rapids, SD; Steven (Stacy) Brandon, SD; Scott (Teri), Sioux Falls, SD; two daughters; Kristi Cabral, Ontario, Ca, Lisa (Jerry) Rush, Dell Rapids, SD; His 12 grandchildren; Brian Compton, Kristin Compton, Jerrice Taplett, Jessalee Fiegen, Jeremiah Fiegen, Patrick Fiegen, Kirra Fiegen, Gerard Rush, Kylie Rush, Julia Rush, Todd Fiegen and Katherine Fiegen; 9 great grandchildren and his sister Dorothy Baumberger. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jennie; brother, Melvin; sisters; Joyce Richter and Helen Liester; brother’s-in –law Terry Baumberger, Earl Richter; and daughter-in-law, Joyce Fiegen.