Josephine (Jo) Sheets, Custer, died peacefully October 26, 2010 in Custer at Custer Regional Senior Care. Josephine Elliott was born November 11, 1911, in Fulton, South Dakota, daughter of Albert A. and Edith Maybell Wright Elliott. With her older brother, Milton, sister, Grace and twins, Morris and Doris, she grew up following the railroads in Hitchcock, Redfield and Custer. Her younger brother, Cliffard Ross, sister, LoDima and brother, Robert joined the family while they lived in Redfield.

After the Elliot family moved to south of Custer in 1928, Jo would ride a horse six miles to Custer High School going through nine gates. Jo's parents died at a young age. She responded to the crisis by helping care for her younger brothers and sister.

Jo had a lifelong love for music. She sang her first solo, "The Star Spangled Banner" at 5 years of age. As a high school sophomore, she placed first among seventeen contestants at a contest in Aberdeen singing "April Rain". The next year she won the vocal contest in Clark. As a teen she had many fond memories of being a choir member and soloist at the Methodist-Episcopal Church in Redfield.

On Christmas Day 1928, Jo married Leland Newberg in Custer. They had three children, Carol Joy, Norman Richard and Edgar Lloyd. Her children shared Jo's lifelong love for music.

On November 11, 1945 Jo married Wayne Sheets in Custer. She continued to work at various business establishments in Custer while being a mother and grandmother. Since 1937, Jo has been a member of the Custer Community Church where she sang solos and was in the choir. As a Rebekah, she performed at many local and state meetings. Jo was especially proud of her fellow sisters in the Rebekahs.

A highlight of her singing career was a performance at the Homestake Opera House in Lead. Jo was a soloist for many years at Gold Discovery Days in Custer where she sang "Indian Love Call". A special honor was given to Jo as Parade Marshall for the 1998 gold Discovery Days. She continued to sing after her 90th birthday at local churches, funerals and every Wednesday for 20 years at the Colonial Manor.

Survivors include her daughter-in-law Geri and she will be remembered with special fondness by her 9 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by many family members including her husband, Wayne, daughter Carol, sons, Norman and Edgar, one grandchild, Andrew and all 7 siblings
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Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 30, 2010 at Custer Community Church with Pastor Bill Comfort officiating. Visitation and viewing will be held one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be sent to Custer Community Church.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences can me made at www.mccolleychapels.com.