Shelbie Jean Holdren passed away on April 17, 2021 at the age of 82. After months of failing health, she died peacefully at the Faulkton Area Medical Center in Faulkton, SD.

Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2021 at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Thomas Sumers presiding. Burial will follow in the Faulkton Cemetery.

Shelbie Jean Holdren was born on July 16, 1938 to Gurnie and Martha Breedlove on a farm in Drane, TX. At the age of six, her family moved to a farm in Wibaux, MT. After four years of relentless hail, her family moved to town. At the age of 13, they moved back to Texas where she completed her schooling.

She then married James Florence in Corpus Christi, TX. To this union, they were blessed with three children: Jane, Janet and Jim. On November 4, 1967 in Faulkton, she was married to Bill Holdren. To this union, she and Bill were blessed with three more children, Terry, Jack and Mike. In the early years of the marriage Bill and Shelbie lived on a farm near Faulkton and later moved to their home in Cresbard, SD. She remained in her home and running her floral business in Faulkton until 2017 when she suffered a stroke and became a resident of Faulkton Senior Living.

Shelbie was a past member of the Faulkton Arts Council and the Faulkton Business & Professional Association. She served as treasurer for the Faulkton Cemetery Board for many years. Years ago, she worked at Cameron’s Super Value in Faulkton and the Cresbard Post Office. She also was on the women’s bowling league and sponsored a team for many years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Corpus Christi, TX.

She was also a board member of the South Dakota Florist Association. Shelbie owned her own floral business for over 30 years, which was back when very few women were business owners. She truly loved going to work in her flower shop and putting her personal touch on each of her designs.

Shelbie’s surviving family include her children: Jane (Florence) Berg of Denver, CO, Janet (Florence) Halstead and husband Dennis Vogel of Idaho Springs, CO, Jim Florence and Diann Jakes of Aberdeen, SD, Terry Holdren, Jack (Kristi) Holdren of Faulkton, SD, and Mike (Miranda) Holdren of Russellville, KY; grandchildren: Amber and Jason Berg, Jason Halstead, Thomas, Victoria, Alexander, Elizabeth and Duncan Florence, Derek Holdren, and Austyn and Alex Holdren; great-grandchildren: Kayla, Khloe, Bridget and Charlie; and mother-in-law: Wauneta Holdren of Faulkton Senior Living.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; mother, Martha Johnson; step-father, Ward Johnson; father, Gurnie Breedlove; and sister, Mary Pittman.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Shelbie’s arrangements.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse