Dolores "Dede" Elaine Shuck

Dolores “Dede” Elaine Shuck was born on June 7, 1963 in Sioux City, Iowa to Jeanne (Thorson) Shuck and Joe Shuck.  She was the youngest of the six kids and was born on the day the oldest child, John, graduated from high school.  Dede received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on September 15, 1963 at Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City.

     She attended Cooper School in Sioux City through 4^th grade.  In May of 1971, the family permanently moved to their summer home in West Okoboji where she attended Milford Community School.   In high school she was a wrestling cheerleader, a member of the drill team and played trumpet in the marching band.  She loved music.  Her long, slender fingers were well-suited for the piano.  She especially enjoyed learning Christmas carols.  Dede graduated with honors in 1981.  She briefly attended the University of South Dakota at Vermillion.  Dede’s mom Jeanne and sister, Carole opened Mrs. Lady’s Mexican Restaurant in Arnold Park in 1977.  Dede did many jobs there, including waiting tables.  Dede was a wonderful aunt, treating the kids with rides in her gold Nova to Doris’s grocery in West Okoboji for candy.  She handmade carnivals and took them swimming and roller skating. Fun, fun, fun!

     Unfortunately, Dede suffered from anorexia nervosa with bulimia as a teenager.  Despite numerous methods and attempts to control her illness, Dede suffered a catastrophic brain injury in September of 1982.  Left unable to walk, talk or assist with daily activities, she required full care. Initially, she was cared for at home.  She then moved to a specialty nursing home that focused on brain-injured young adults (less than age 40) in Red Wing, Minnesota.  Even with the intense daily therapies, no improvements were noted and she was moved to St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer on March 17, 1989.  During the 29-years spent there, she received exceptional care by the staff.  Some days she was quite a wiggle-worm and made daily cares a challenge.  They always seemed to take it in stride.  Dede’s brain injury devastated her family.  It was felt that she still knew her family members, yet was unaware of her dependent status.  She occasionally spoke a few words and thought she was around age 13 or 14 and in the eighth grade.  She often smiled appropriately at a good joke.  For many years, sisters Anita and Tracy transported Dede to Burn’s Chiropractic Clinic twice a month.  Brenda Burns provided a comforting atmosphere for Dede’s relaxing massage. 

     Dede died peacefully without struggle or pain at her home (St. Luke) in the early afternoon of Tuesday, May 8, 2018 surrounded by her loving caregivers.

     Dede is survived by her brother, three sisters and their families:  John (Tina) Shuck of Sioux City, Carole Hinders of Spirit Lake, Anita (Blair) Bailey of West Okoboji and Tracy (David Tvedte) Shuck of Spirit Lake.  She was aunt to ten nieces and nephews, great-aunt to eight kids and had many cousins that will miss her too. 

     Dede was preceded in death by her father Joe in 1992, her mother Jeanne in 2005, sister, Christine in 2012 and nephew Josh in 2017. 

     The family is grateful for all the TLC provided by the exceptional staff during the 29-years that St. Luke Home & Service, Inc. was her home.  All memorials will be directed to St. Luke Lutheran Home for the greatest need. 

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