Shelby Prentiss

Shelby J. Prentiss

Age 78, of Stillwater peacefully passed away at home Sunday December 5th, 2021, surrounded by family. She wanted to be at home and was supported in this by her family and Lakeview Hospice.

Born in Stillwater, to Ruth Knutson. Shelby grew up in Stillwater, MN and graduated from Stillwater Senior High School.

After graduating from High School, she married Chester Prentiss, and they made their home in Stillwater. They had two daughters, Lisa (Dave) Haase, and Ricka Prentiss.

Shelby worked for Montgomery Wards, Northern States Power, and Deuber’s Department store in the fabric department. Then she worked for the Stillwater School District for many years as a secretary in the Junior and Senior High Schools. She was always a helpful, friendly, smiling face for the students and staff. She volunteered at the Stillwater Public Library and was an avid reader her whole life. She passed this on to her daughter Ricka.

Shelby was actively involved in Ascension Episcopal church, participating in the Alter Guild, Kitchen Guild, Quilting Guild, Memorial Committee co-chair, and Thursday morning Bulletin folder. She attended the Sunday eight o’clock service and had her favorite spot to sit every time. She made many friends there and enjoyed meeting both new and old friends.

Shelby was an incredibly talented crafter. There was not a craft that she did not try at least once. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, stained glass, glass etching, Ukranian Egg decorating, embroidery, beaded jewelry making, gardening, canning her “famous pickles,” basket making, and stamping with her many Sassy Stamper friends. She learned to Quilt later in life and through the Quilting Guild at Ascension, gave the graduating seniors from church a quilt she had made. She greatly enjoyed doing this, as she got to know the recipients’ likes and dislikes, and what their plans were for after graduation.

Shelby and Chet enjoyed going for rides on Chet’s Harley Davidson, and took many trips throughout the years. There were times that they were traveling and ran into someone that they knew. Some were by themselves, and other times with a group from St. Croix Harley. She and Chet oversaw the Ladies of Harley, and the Ladies would take dinner rides and would try the latest crafting project with Shelby’s help. When Shelby retired from the School District, she bought her own Harley. She was thrilled to ride across the “New Bridge” when it was completed. Her siblings also joined in on the rides, and her sister Judy always liked to find a pie place or an ice cream store.

She had a special relationship with her friends Sue Neisse and Barb Johnson, and they were dubbed “the chosen sisters” since they were that close. For many years at Christmas time, they would go to the Minneapolis Dayton’s (Macy’s now) and sit on Santa’s lap for a picture and then lunch at the Oak Grill inside Macy’s. They always knitted something that they all would wear in the picture.

Hospice of Lakeview was of great support at the end of Shelby’s life. She loved “Wednesdays with Sunny,” her Hospice nurse who brought sunshine and love every time he visited. Breanna was a caring and wonderful help in caring for her. Tina, the social worker was a good listener when we needed her. Lynette, the Nurse Practitioner was so wonderful and caring as well.

Shelby was preceded in death by her sister Linda Bennett.

She is survived by and is greatly missed by her husband Chet of 60 years. Her mother Ruth and her twin Ruby, siblings Nancy (Dave) Graham, Judy (Greg) Nail, John (Tracey) Knutson, Mary Beth (Jesse) Helmick, Sandy Ford, and Jeff (Jan) Knutson. Daughters Lisa (Dave) Haase, and Ricka Prentiss. Grandchildren Kyle (Katie) Reinhardt, Breanna (Diann) Fourie, and Jacob Haase. Great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Karson, DJ and Trypp. As well as many family and friends.

A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday, December 16, 2021 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at BRADSHAW CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater.

A private family service will be held at Ascension Episcopal Church in Stillwater.

Memorials to the Stillwater Public Library, and to Ascension Episcopal Church in Stillwater.