Rosellen "Shelly" Ward Obituary (1954 - 2023)

Rosellen "Shelly" Ward, 69, Fort Yates, ND, passed away Friday, April 28, 2023, at Sanford Hospital. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Fort Yates. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM, Monday, May 1, 2023, at DaWise-Perry/Mandan Crematory, 4211 Old Red Trail NW, Mandan. A Vigil/Rosary will begin at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue from one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be set for a later date. Shelly was born February 12, 1954, at Fort Yates, ND, to Thomas and Bessie (Jordan) Silk. She was raised and educated in Stephan SD and Fort Yates ND. She attended Sitting Bull College and graduated in 2001. She met the love of her life Elliot in 1973 and they married on April 14, 1984 while living in Fort Yates, then moved to McLaughlin, SD in 1987 and back to Fort Yates where they made their home until the time of her death. Shelly worked as an administrative assistant with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Little Eagle Day School, Rock Creek Day School, and retired from the Indian Health Service in August 2021. Shelly and her husband Elliott brought two daughters into their marriage, Adrienne and Ampah, then later they had Jessie. They loved their children and would try to take family trips. Their girls were active in summer AAU track and basketball, and they spent a great part of summers traveling to meets. Later, they would do the same when they had grandchildren. Games were never too far away for them to travel to watch basketball games, and swim meets, At football games they would sit on a freezing benches but that didn't matter as they were their grandchildren's biggest fans. In the last couple of years, they have been traveling to watch their great-granddaughter Aliyana's soccer and basketball games, pulling in with blankets and snacks. Elliott and Shelly would spend their early years traveling to sobriety dances where Elliott played guitar for the "Spirit Wind Band". She attended Cursillo, Sioux Spiritual Retreats and was very strong in her Christian beliefs and became a Eucharistic Minister. She made many friends and relatives along the way. She was also very active in her traditional ceremonies for many years. Having her beliefs and faith is what drew so many people to her. She has made an impact on those she has helped along the way. Shelly and Elliott made relatives with Luke and Connie Baker and Fatty and Mary Lou Davis, and they loved to travel together. They have endless stories and made beautiful memories filled with laughter and love. Shelly loved to cook and prepare meals for any and every event. Whether it be at work, after ceremonies, holidays, or if you showed up at her door to visit. She loved to cook and bake. She would make goodie baskets and meals for others and drop them off for those in need. Shelly was also an avid shopper, ensuring both Amazon and QVC made their yearly quotas. She had very good taste and spoiled her loved ones every opportunity she got. Shelly loved Elliott with all her heart. She cared for him their entire life, and when it was time for her to be taken care of, he did with so much love and care. Even during the hard days, he was there. He spent their last days re-telling their history, singing to her, making sure she was warm or yet wearing his warm jacket in the hospital room because she was too hot, he never wanted to leave her side. The last thing she did was open her eyes and look at her husband. She loved Elliott and now he gets to take her home like she asked. She is survived by her husband Elliott, daughters Adrienne Ducheneaux of Bismarck, Ampah (Chris) Danielson of Gilbert, Az., Jessie (Dustin) Talley of Bismarck, Tonya Hertel of Mobridge and son Loren (Dorothy) Henry of Belcourt; sisters Jacqueline Owle, Marilyn Silk both of Fort Yates, Patricia (Richard) Hartze of Bismarck, Annie Silk of Fort Yates, Connie (Luke) Baker of Belcourt, Mary Lou (Fatty) Davis of Belcourt, Candy Baker of New Town; brother Ronald (Kay) Silk of Great Falls; Grandchildren Chaske' and Wesley Walsh, Megan, Morgan and James Molash Jr, Rinna Danielson, Teagen (Paige), Dante', Zyen Fischer, Jerome and Jestice (Brenden) Talley, Monica Bailey and Trueth Crow Ghost; great grandchildren Lola and Corban Walsh, Aliyanna and Phoenix Fischer, and Zy'eirra and Zaeir Moody; Brother-In-Laws Fenton "Babe" (Brenda) Johnson, Darrel "Van" (Linda) Johnson, Leander "Russ" (Francine) McDonald, John Buckley; Sister-in-Law Reva Gates as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, God-children and other relatives. Special Family Friends: Joe, Cindy, Regan Dunn Family, Lona Gipp, Tom and Loretta Bad Heart Bull, Glenda Gross, Brother George Maufort, Harold and Geraldine Condon, Peggy Ward Family, Scott and Loraine Davis, Connie Fischer, Melvin Miner Family, Aileen Little Ghost, Deceased: Victor and Marsha Brave Thunder, Robert Gipp, Donny Belgarde. Welcoming her home are her parents, brothers Michael, Thomas Jr. "Rocky" Silk and Charles "Red" Gates; sisters Betty Silk, Kathleen Ward, Rosie Buckley, Velia Salas; Sister-In-Law Katherine "Girly" Kills Crow; nephew Joshua Johnson and niece Mary Jo Hanks. We sincerely apologize if we may have forgotten anyone as Shelly had numerous family and friends whom she loved. The family would like to thank Carlita Aberle NP,McLaughlin IHS, The Bismarck Cancer Center and Sanford Staff, Dr. Thandiwe Gray, Dr. Saurabhkumar Limani, special nurses Jenna & Kasey, Kim from Expressway Suites and all other staff that provided loving care to Shelly.