Shirley I. Wortham, 87, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away Sunday, May 17, 2015, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD.

Shirley was born June 24, 1927, in Hot Springs, to Elvin and Kathleen (Griffin) Aaberg, where she grew up on a ranch north of Hot Springs. She married Jack Wortham in British Columbia, Canada. They owned and operated cafes in Hungry Horse, MT, Edgemont, SD, and 'The Little Wonder' in Hot Springs. Shirley was a hard worker, often pulling 2 or 3 shifts to keep their cafe running. Their hard work paid off and they were able to retire in 1980. They moved back to South Dakota to retire when Jack was diagnosed with cancer and later passed in 1983.

Shirley stayed active and was very involved in her grandkid's lives; following and supporting their activities in sports and rodeo. Minneluzahan Senior Citizens Center was where she donated a lot of her time and also got involved in the South Dakota Senior Olympic Games, where she excelled. Shirley placed and won many events, including softball and billiards. She received the Spirit Award from the South Dakota Senior Olympics and in 1992 was the RSVP Volunteer Award recipient. Shirley was also recognized as Top Senior Olympic athlete and made one of South Dakota's Top Athlete noted in a book published by Vern Anthony. She was also an inductee into the South Dakota Senior Games Hall of Fame. Other activities Shirley enjoyed were a lifetime of hunting with family and friends. For many years Shirley volunteered at the handicap gate at the Central States Fair and made many new friends in the process. Shirley was a member of the Hot Springs Senior Citizens Center and resided at Pine Hills Retirement Community at the time of her passing.

Left to mourn her passing is her daughter, Donna (Roland) March of Hot Springs; sister, Eloise; brother-in-law, Harold; stepdaughter, May McKnight of Hot Springs; grandsons, Tony (Kim) March and Terry March, both of Hot Springs. Shirley also leaves behind numerous grandchildren, step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; parents; brothers and sisters, sister-in-law, Shirley Rudd; two step sons, Jackie and Bobby (Lucky); stepdaughter, Fay; and grandchildren, Greg, Sheldon, Melinda and Evelyn.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. thru 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 21, 2015, at Chamberlain-McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 22, 2015, at Chamberlain-McColley's Funeral Home with Pastor Morris Nelson officiating. Interment will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Hot Springs.

A memorial in Shirley's name has been established to benefit the Hot Springs Senior Citizens Center in Hot Springs.