Shirley Marie Johnson, 92, of Rapid City, SD passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Saturday, July 13, 2024.  She was born in Hot Springs, SD March 6, 1932 to Charles and Mildred (Hixson) Hardman.  During the early childhood years, she lived in Chadron, NE and Buffalo Gap, SD where her father was employed on the railroad.  Shirley attended school in Buffalo Gap through the third \grade. In fourth grade (1941), her family moved to Hot Spring where she continued through fifth grade.  With the onset of WWII, in October 1943, her mother moved the family to Igloo, SD where her mother was employed at the Black Hills Ordinance Depot. Shirley completed her education there and graduated from Provo High School in 1950.

After graduation, Shirley started Civil Service employment at Depot Property, Black Hills Ordinance Depot, Igloo, SD.  It was there, June 1951, she married Russell Heppner and they made their home on the family ranch south of Edgemont, SD.  She continued to work until 1953 when they started their family.  Over the next four years, she had 4 daughters, Kristy, Karen, Kathy, and Karla often referred to as the 4 K's. In September 1967, the family moved to Edgemont and continued to ranch.

December 1977, she married Charles (Chuck) R Johnson, continuing to make Edgemont her home .In January of 1983, they moved to Chadron, NE then relocated to Douglas, WY in August 1984. It was there, Shirley was an active member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program working for the Douglas Police Department. In this program, she studied and completed the police dispatcher's national certification. She continued this volunteer work until 1992 when Chuck and her retired. Retirement activities included winter travel visiting the warmer southern United States and Mexico. They eventually settled for the winters in an RV park in Yuma, AZ.

In October 2000, they relocated to Rapid City, to be close to medical treatment after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After five years of aggressive cancer therapy, she was declared a cancer survivor.  Shirley resided in Rapid City until her passing.

Some favored activities included sewing, knitting, crocheting, gardening, and spending time with her family. Her favorite summertime interests were boating, fishing and camping. Shirley was also a life-time member of the VFW Auxiliary.

She was proceeded in death by her parents and step-father, Alex Kutzor, sisters Marjorie (Edward) Tubbs, Marion (Dan) Hills, brother, Don, and son-in-law Dick Proell.

Survivors include her devoted husband Chuck, loving daughters: Kristy (Dick) Owens, Karen (Tom Cassella) Proell, Kathy (Rocky) Bell, and Karla (Mark) Weldon, stepchildren: Dan (Mary) Johnson; Roger (Amy) Johnson; Bradley (Brenda) Johnson; Jeffery (Connie) Johnson; Jana (Brad) Jensen; brother Leland (Sue) Hardman; six grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; 16 step-grandchildren; 9 step-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 10:00 am and the funeral service will begin at 11:00 am July 22nd at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church.  Burial will be at 2:30 pm at Black Hills National Cemetery.

The service will be videoed at the church and streamed live to the Facebook Group "Canyon Lake United Methodist/Shirley Johnson". The service will remain on Facebook for viewing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Canyon Lake United Methodist Church or Love INC of the BH.

Osheim-Schmidt Funeral Home of Rapid City is in charge of arrangements.