Shirley Lyson was born November 24, 1937 to Thelma (Westley) and Ervin Topp in Carrington, North Dakota. She grew up on the family farm near Grace City, North Dakota. At an early age she learned to cook, can and bake to help her mother around the house. She graduated from Grace City High School in 1955. She attended Valley City College and graduated with a teaching degree in 1957.
Shirley and Stan met the fall of 1957 at a dance in Minot where Shirley was an elementary teacher. Stan knew when he saw the cute black-haired woman he would be dancing with her all night. Shirley says after the first date she would be married to this man. They were engaged on Valentine’s Day and were married July 20, 1958. Four children were born to this marriage. They just celebrated their 59th anniversary.
They made their home in Parshall where Shirley continued to teach for a few years. Stan’s career change moved the family to Williston, North Dakota in 1962. Shirley would be further from her home and was nervous about the change. When they got to Williston, men and their wives from the police department were there to help move them move in. Shirley was on her way to making life-long friends. Williston became their home for the next 55 years, where they raised their three children.
Shirley and Stan loved to take long walks, having coffee and playing cards with friends. They enjoyed summer vacations visiting their many relatives and friends. In the fall and winter, they could be found in Williston High School or Williston State College bleachers watching basketball. They travelled to Fargo frequently to watch Sydney, who was the flyer on the cheerleading team and Jessica, who is on the Fargo North swim team. Every Sunday morning, they were sitting in the front pew of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.
Shirley was kind and generous with a big heart. She was a great hostess and wanted to make sure everyone had enough to eat. Some of her specialties included homemade buns, caramel rolls, chocolate chip cookies, Aunt Sally cookies and fried bread dough, to name a few. Shirley was eager share her skills and knowledge of crocheting, knitting and baking. She was a very patient teacher.
Shirley enjoyed playing cards and board games. She was always so lucky and won most of the time. She loved to be outdoors in the fresh air, tending to her flowers and the garden. She had a large garden and took pleasure in giving fresh vegetables to family and friends.
Shirley’s pride and joy were her two grand-daughters. She enjoyed reading the girls books, playing Barbies and games with them. She loved teaching them to bake cookies and pies. Grandma would do anything they wanted!
Shirley is survived by her husband Stanley Lyson, daughters, Tammy Lyson and Lisa Hewell (Rob), granddaughters Sydney and Jessica, son, Rory (Judy) Lyson, sister, Marilyn (Bob) Glowac, brother, George (Kaye) Topp, brother-in-law Ron Nelson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirley is preceded in death by parents, Ervin (Thelma) Topp, infant daughter, Kim Lyson, sister, Glenda Nelson.

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