Shelly Ann Ross was born in Williston ND on August 15, 1947 to Fred and Nellie (Atwood) Ross. Her first three years were spent on the Three Buttes Ranch south east of Culbertson MT. The family then moved to the Schnitzler Corporation 17 miles west of Froid MT.
Shelly attended first grade at the Anderson School. From 2nd grade on, Shelly attended Froid Public Schools graduating with the class of 1965. Shelly was a proud Froid Cardinal and never thought of them as the Redhawks. She always enjoyed listening to the Class C basketball tournaments and cheering on her Cardinals. As an adult she became a Sidney Eagle fan and attended many basketball and football games cheering on the Eagles to Victory.
After high school, Shelly attended Minot State College for one year before moving to Sidney to work for the FMHA (Farmers Home Administration) where she worked for 12 years. After having children, Shelly decided to stay home for a few years before returning to work in 1985 for the Richland County Health Department. She spent 27 years working for Richland County eventually becoming the Commission on Aging Administrator until the time of her retirement in 2012.
Shelly married Stanley Rosaaen on July 26, 1972 at Pella Lutheran Church in Sidney after a 6 month courtship. This summer would have been their 45th wedding anniversary. Stan and Shelly built their life together in Sidney where they bought their first and current home and raised their three children Amanda, Travis and Ross.
The Rosaaen family enjoyed spending summer weekends camping at Tobacco Gardens in North Dakota with friends. Shelly really enjoyed spending time traveling with the 5th wheel camper. Many trips to Medora, Bismarck/Mandan, and western Montana were some of her favorite destinations. In 2012, after retiring, Stan and Shelly took their 5th wheel down to Mesa, Arizona where they spent the winter. Although they enjoyed the weather, they decided that going south wasn’t for them. Spending time with the grandchildren was a higher priority than the warmer weather.
Shelly loved her family and especially spoiling her grandchildren. She loved reading to them, teaching them to bake, and just enjoying their company.
Shelly also enjoyed her friends and being part of Beta Sigma Phi and Red Hat. Saturday coffee with longtime friends was a high priority.
Shelly passed away peacefully on Thursday May 11, 2017 at her home surrounded by her husband and children. Shelly will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.
Shelly is survived by her husband of 44 years Stan, her daughter Amanda (Kent) Wilson of Mandan ND, son Travis (Melissa) Rosaaen of Sidney, son Ross (Aleah) Rosaaen of Sidney, 5 grandchildren Madison, Connor, Paige, Hadley and Grayson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Shelly is preceded in death by her parents Fred and Nellie Ross, one brother Jim Ross, mother in law Evelyn Williams, and fathers in law Russel Williams and Selmer Rosaaen.