Shelly Marie Gerving Obituary (1966 - 2018)

Shelly Marie (Schemmer) Gerving, 52, passed away Friday, August 10, 2018, at Sanford Medical Center, Bismarck. A memorial service was held August 20, 2018, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Center. Cremation has taken place. Shelly was born January 30, 1966, to Marville and Lois Schemmer in Phoenix, Ariz., where she lived until moving with her family to a farm near Almont, North Dakota. Shelly graduated from Almont High School, and attended Interstate Business College. Shelly was working for Center Pharmacy when she met Brian Gerving, who she referred to as "the love of her life." She and Brian were married October 23, 1987, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Center, and held their reception at the Betty Hagel Memorial Civic Center. They initially made their home in Center, later moving to Mandan when Brian started working for Cloverdale. In 2000, the couple welcomed the first of the "lights of her life," their daughter Bailey, and four years later, twins Jaxson and Wesley. Shelly's family was the center of her existence, and she loved them all dearly. While living in Mandan, Shelly worked as an assistant manager for Ben Franklin and in other retail positions, and also did cleaning. She worked for Super 8 Motel in Bismarck until her fibromyalgia forced her to stop working. The family returned to the Center area to live in 2014. Early in 2018, Shelly was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Shelly loved to crochet, making blankets, fall dresses, and other items. She would often sit and crochet while waiting for medical appointments. She enjoyed reading, and loved to cook when she was able. She was also very fond of animals, caring for the family's dogs and cats, and sometimes even fostering animals for a local rescue organization. Shelly leaves behind her husband, Brian; her children, Bailey, Jaxson, and Wesley; a sister, Laurie Gibson, Mandan; a brother, Daniel Schemmer, Mandan; two brothers-in-law, Ben Gerving, Center, and Henry Gerving Jr., Beach; two sisters-in-law, Carolina Gerving and Betty Lou Gerving, both of Bismarck; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Betty Gerving; and an infant son, John.