Shirley R. Schaikoski

Shirley Roselyn Schaikoski, age 87, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Bethany Home Senior Living Community in Sioux Falls.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church (2001 S Elmwood Ave) in Sioux Falls, SD, with visitation beginning one hour prior. Interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD.

Please click here to view the livestream of the service

Shirley Roselyn Loose Schaikoski was born at home on May 8,1939 in Boyd Minnesota to Art and Cecelia (Willander) Loose. She was baptized on May 19th,1939 and confirmed on June 8, 1952.

On May 31st, 1957, Shirley graduated from Boyd High School in Boyd Minnesota. Shirley graduated from St Cloud State University and became a fourth-grade teacher. For thirty-seven years Shirley taught fourth grade. She taught in Hastings, MN; Luverne, MN; Franklin, Hayward, and Longfellow elementaries in Sioux Falls, SD.

Shirley married Ray Schaikoski on February 18,1971 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa. February 18 was also the wedding anniversary of Shirley’s parents and grandparents. Following their wedding, Shirley and Ray honeymooned in Hawaii. They made their home in Sioux Falls, SD.

To say that Shirley was an avid documentarian of her family genealogy would be an understatement! The correspondence, documents, and compilations Shirley put together are masterpieces. She also loved to cross stich, write letters, and research. Shirley loved to try different restaurants, attend festivals, and laugh with friends.

Ray and Shirley were avid travelers. Sweden and Poland were among their many destinations. Travel combined Shirley’s passion for genealogy with real locations and places. Shirley also cultivated life-long correspondence with family members from around the world.