Lillian Shea
(May 25, 1913 - December 12, 2013)
| Lillian E. Shea was a life-long resident of the Deadwood-Lead area. She passed away peacefully on December 12, 2013, surrounded by family and friends, at the Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital. |
Lillian was born May 25, 1913, at the family farm near Custer Peak to John Henry and Anna Senja (Hautamaki) Salmo. Lillian attended rural school in Polson School District and graduated from Deadwood High School. Lillian took commercial courses in high school and enjoyed a career in business administration for over 50 years. She started as bookkeeper for the Fish & Hunter Co. in Deadwood, a wholesale/retail building material and hardware company with yards in Rapid City, Belle Fourche, Lead, Deadwood, New Underwood, Wasta and Owanka.
James Shea worked for Fish & Hunter Co. also. He left to serve in the Navy Air Corps in 1941. He graduated in November from Pensacola, Florida, as a pilot. He and Lillian were married on January 13, 1945 while he was home on leave. They lived in Kansas and Florida during the war. He was transferred to Hawaii, the Pacific Theater.
When the war ended, Jim went to work for Porter Lumber Co. and Lillian returned to Fish & Hunter. They built their home on lower Main Street in Deadwood in 1948.
In 1960 they decided to open a retail building and hardware store, Shea’s Inc., on Deadwood’s Main Street. Lillian served as accountant and secretary. Jim was general manager and his brother Joseph was vice president and advisor.
In 1974 Lillian became bookkeeper and accountant for the Deadwood Development Co., the Wax Museum and the Trial of Jack McCall. Later as stockholder and owner, she and Jim continued operating all the businesses for many years. Lillian worked for Fish & Hunter Co. for over 50 years. They operated Shea’s Inc. for 37 years, the Deadwood Development Co. and the Trial of Jack McCall until 1996.
In 1997 James and Lillian retired. They sold all the property except their home and the Fountain House next door, which they restored to its original appearance in 2004.
In 1999 the James E. and Lillian E. Shea Charitable Trust was established to benefit residents of Lawrence County. The trust has donated thousands of dollars to those who have medical or catastrophic needs.
Lillian's life was a testimony of helping others, kindness to all, and she touched the lives of countless people in her century of life. Always humble and not wanting a lot of attention, she was so excited for her 100th birthday party in May and the large family reunion held in conjunction with the celebration. Lillian enjoyed planting flowers, feeding the birds and other small wildlife, and the companionship of the dogs they had. Lillian had a "Daily Prayer" that she copied and gave to many to make sure they knew Jesus as their Savior. She was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church for many years. Her husband, James Shea, preceded her in death in April, 2007. After his death, she lived alone in her own home until the time of her death.
Lillian was the last surviving member of twelve children: Henry Salmo, Helen Houlette, Edna Eitzen, Winnie Lyman, Anna Pascoe, Mayme Aarni, Ruth Kotti, Hazel Silfven, Reno Ikola, Sadie Whalen and William Ikola.
Lillian is survived by many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly, including from this area Aileen Brunner, Nisland; Patricia Carstensen, Sturgis; and George Kotti, Hot Springs. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Bernard Shea, Brea, CA and sister-in-law Monica Jean Shea, Granada Hills, CA.
Visitation will be 3-5 P.M. on Thursday, December 19, 2013 at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Vigil service will be at 7 P.M. on Thursday, at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church in Deadwood. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, December 20 at the church. Internment will take place at Black Hills National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Adams Museum in Deadwood.
Arrangements are under the care of the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead.
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