Shirley (Spear) Koball, Sioux Falls, SD, died March 4, 2009, at Sanford / USD Medical Center, ...
Shirley (Spear) Koball, Sioux Falls, SD, died March 4, 2009, at Sanford / USD Medical Center, following an inspirational battle with cancer. She was 49.
Shirley was born February 12, 1960, in Jackson, MN, to Frank and Mervene (Fitzsimmons) Spear. She was raised in rural Sherburn, MN, where she was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church. She graduated from Sherburn High School in 1978.
Shirley moved to Sioux Falls, SD in 1978, where she attended Augustana College. She graduated with a major in Chemistry, Physics, Math and Computer Science. While attending Augie, she met the love of her life, Kalvin Koball. They married April 28, 1984.
As Kal and Shirley raised their son, Kenan, Shirley became very active with the Boy Scouts of America. She held multiple volunteer positions, but her biggest joy was with Troop 333. She joined with the troop as assistant Scout Master in 1997, and was Scout Master from 2000 – 2007. Although it was a small troop, the boys enjoyed it. Seventy percent achieved Eagle Scout and stayed active until they started college. She was nominated for the Order of the Arrow in 1999. She received the Vigil Honor in 2003.Each year, Shirley spent weeks attending and taking her scouts to the summer camps and regional campouts, including NOAC.
In her free time, Shirley enjoyed working on her many sewing projects including crocheting and tatting. She also enjoyed reading, gardening, and spending time with her cats.
In her 23 years at Citibank as a computer programmer, she was the recipient of the Service Excellence Award, TOPs Award, Star Player Awards, and the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold Honoree for over 500 hours of volunteer service since 2005). Involved and volunteering in numerous community organizations, she was in the United Way Grand Heart Club (volunteer and finance officer), Galaxy of Thanks, March of Dimes, and was also active in the founding committee of the (SLRA) Renaissance Group.
She was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church where she volunteered as a Sunday School teacher and other committees including SF Lutheran School Bible Study. Shirley was also a decades-long member of the Local 220 Stage Employees Union where she held multiple offices.
Shirley never viewed a situation in negative terms. Her unfailing love for people and her contagious smile and spirit will forever be cherished.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Kal Koball, son, Kenan Koball, both of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters, Marie Thoelke (Scott), Sioux Falls, SD, Lois Engels (Hank), Wilmont, MN, brother, Bob Spear (Jannelle), Welcome, MN; mother-in-law, Alta Koball, brothers-in-law, Keith Koball (Jane), Curt Koball (Carol), Karl Koball (Jenelle), Craig Koball (Chris); several nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law, Ken and Terry Koball.
Funeral Services will be 1:30 pm Monday at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2200 S. Western Avenue. Visitation begins at noon, Sunday, with the family present to greet friends from 2:00 to 5:00 Sunday afternoon at Miller Funeral Home, 13th and Main Avenue. A prayer service will be held at 3:00 pm at the funeral home.
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