Mary Jane (Syverson) Shelstad, of Wanamingo, was born on October 18, 1941. She was the
second of seven children born to Kenneth L. and Ingeborg (Erickson) Syverson. As Mary Jane
grew up, her family would travel north each summer in their wood-paneled station wagon to
spend time in Detroit Lakes, MN visiting her maternal grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins,
and they thoroughly enjoyed family time at the lake. She also helped her Dad at his hardware
store in Wanamingo, Syverson Hardware. As a teenager, Mary Jane also helped to take care of
her younger siblings, which even included bringing her little sisters on dates that she went on.
Mary Jane was crowned Homecoming Queen and then went on to graduate with the Wanamingo
High School Class of 1959.
Mary Jane attended Luther College in Decorah, IA. She then married John J. (Smoke) Shelstad
on September 15, 1962. They first lived in Rochester, MN where they both worked, but later
they moved to Wanamingo, and it was there that they raised their family. They had two
daughters, Tracy and Lisa.
Mary Jane’s work career included working for Dr. William Walter’s Family Practice Office as a
medical transcriptionist (on a typewriter at that time) for over 25 years! After Dr. Walter retired,
she then worked for Dr. Thomas Aug’s Dental Office as a receptionist. In retirement, Mary Jane
enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters, Kristin and Kari Boyum as she attended their
school and athletic events, and also countless 4-H pig shows!!! She also enjoyed walking every
morning with her two friends, Elaine Froyum and Pat Opfer. She was an avid Bridge card game
player with her many friends for the 50 plus years that she played!!! Mary Jane and Smoke also
had many vacations with friends/neighbors that took them to South Dakota pheasant hunting, and
traveling around the US.
Mary Jane is survived by her two daughters–Tracy (Steve) Boyum, and Lisa (Scott) Shelstad
Ladwig; her two granddaughters–Kristin Samuelson and Kari (Brad) Froyum; her two bonus
granddaughters–LeeAnn and Brooklyn Ladwig; her four great-grandchildren–Will and Luke
Samuelson and Knox and Everly Froyum, with another great grandchild coming in November
2026. Everly is Mary Jane’s namesake with her name being Everly Jane. She is further survived
by her siblings Kenneth L. (Jane) Syverson, Jr., Henry (Marlene) Syverson, Martha (Ted)
Gehrking, and Maren (Joe) Barone, and her sister-in-law, Marlene Shelstad. She has many nieces
and nephews that knew her as “Aunt Mary” from both sides of the family.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband John (Smoke) Shelstad in 2014, an infant son
in 1963, her parents, two sisters Marie and Margaret, her godchild Marit Gillard, her mother-in
law Estella Shelstad, and her in-laws Terrance Shelstad, Genevieve and John Robbins, and
William Shelstad. She also lost her dear friend Rita Stockmo in 2006.
The family would like to thank Madonna Summit in Byron and Madonna Towers in Rochester
for their care and attention to Mary as she lived out her last years here on earth.
Mary Jane was a daughter, sister, niece, cousin, friend, wife, daughter-in-law, mother, mother-in
law, grandmother and finally a great-grandmother (also known as “GG”) throughout her life!!
Blessed be the memory of Mary Jane Shelstad!!!
Visitation will take place 5-7 p.m. Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home,
Larson Chapel in Zumbrota, MN. Funeral will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2026, at
Trinity Lutheran Church in Wanamingo, MN, with Rev. Dave Sorenson officiating. Burial will
follow the service at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are
preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church in Wanamingo. Arrangements by Mahn Family Funeral
Home, Larson Chapel.
