Shirley Mae (Vogt) Neilan, daughter of Martin and Vergie (Green) Vogt, was born July 26, 1945 in Gregory, SD. She grew up on the family farm south of Herrick, SD, attending the country school. She attended Bonesteel Public High School, graduating in 1963 and she graduated from National College of Business in Rapid City the following year.

On July 6, 1963, she was united in marriage to Lionel Neilan in the St. John Lutheran church in Herrick, SD. To this union she was blessed with three children and seven grandchildren, Marty Neilan and his children Kenna and Brady of Spencer, NE, Misty Farabee and her children Lacey and Mathew of Sioux Falls, SD, Micky and Tammy Neilan and their boys Andrew, Carter and Christopher of Vermillion, SD.

Upon returning from Rapid City, they purchased the Tee Pee Caf which they operated for 5 years, after which Lionel pursued a career in law enforcement and they remained in Bonesteel until her death.

Shirley was foremost a mother and homemaker, but also managed several home business including Tupperware, furniture upholstery, Shaklee and her true passion, making porcelain dolls and their clothing. She was an EMT for many years serving on the Bonesteel Ambulance Service and was a CPR instructor. She loved camping and fishing with her family. She truly loved being a grandmother.

She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Bonesteel, SD and was a Sunday School teacher for many years.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, those grateful for having shared her life include her 4 brothers, Roy (Shirley) Vogt, Armour, SD, Gary (Mary Ellen) Vogt, Bonesteel, SD, Earl (Darlene) Vogt, Denver, CO and Ron (Deb) Vogt, Herrick, SD and 3 sisters, Velva June (Raymond) Blum, Naper, NE, Margaret Schmitz, Bonesteel, SD, and Lila (Wayne) Baldwin, Bonesteel, SD as well as many nieces and nephews and cousins she held dear.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents.

Private family memorial services were held.