Shirley Stec, 79, died peacefully Wednesday, December 25 at the Westhills Village Health Care Center in Rapid City. Shirley was born January 29, 1934 in Yankton, South Dakota to Roy and Amelia Mutchler. Her elementary school years were spent in a one-room school house. She credited that experience with fostering her love of math. She was a quick study and it would prove to be a good foundation for the work she would later do in the world of business. Following the death of her father in 1946, she and her mother moved to Rapid to be closer to her oldest brother and his family. She worked at Art's Pastry Shop during her high school years and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1952. Following graduation, she took a mail-order accounting course through LaSalle University. Her first job was in the office of J.M. Connelly, with whom she worked off and on for the next 25 years. She insisted that it was Joe Connelly who provided her real education in accounting. They remained friends for the rest of their lives. Shirley met her husband, George, who was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, through the Newman Center in Rapid City, They were married in 1954 and welcomed twins Michael and Maureen the following year. Shirley was active in the Cathedral parish for over 40 years. She served on the boards of the Parish Finance Council, the Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation and the Diocese of Rapid City Finance Committee. She was a member of the Parish Council and worked with the Mayfest Committee for many years. In 1976, she and George became partners in Alaska North Rapid Mobile Homes. Shirley worked on site at that business until they sold their share four years later. In 1981, she started Stec's Advertising Specialties from the basement of her home. Two years later her son, Mike, became her partner. Together they built a company that today does business locally, nationally and internationally. Shirley wasn't a believer in retirement. Even as her health deteriorated, she continued to work from home until a few months ago. During her years in business, Shirley was an active member of the community. She served on the boards of Westhills Village and the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce. She worked with the Youth and Family Services Board for over 20 years, receiving the Wind Beneath Your Wings Award. Her most passionate advocacy was dedicated to Catholic education in Rapid City. She worked to support St. Elizabeth Seton School and was an early supporter and committee member in the drive to build the current St. Thomas More High School. She helped establish the Rapid City Catholic School Foundation. Most recently she worked on the campaign drive to build the Terra Santa Retreat Center. She was particularly proud of her work in support of the Catholic Church in Rapid City. Shirley was quick to credit her husband, George, and his support for her professional and personal accomplishments. Throughout their 47 years of marriage, he provided constant support of her work and community involvement. Shirley's greatest pleasures in life were her children, Mike and Mo, grandchildren, Jarod, Nick, Laura and Luke and great-granddaughter, Rowan. She was their enthusiastic supporter in every way, offering advice and keeping abreast of the happenings in their lives. She was especially proud when grandson Jarod joined the business and became the third-generation at Stec's Advertising. Shirley loved to travel and considered herself blessed to have had the chance to see the world. Mazatlan, Mexico became her winter home-away-from-home. She loved the sun, the vendors and the shrimp. Among her most memorable ventures was a trip to Rome in 1983 where she and George shared an audience with Pope John II. More recently, she traveled to the Holy Land with Bishop Blasé Cupich, a trip she described as the experience of a lifetime. . Shirley believed that to those who much is given, much is expected. She modeled generosity of time, spirit and treasure for her family, her community and for all who knew her. Her last gift to her family was her determination to remain positive in the face of a degenerative disease that slowly prevented her from doing the things she loved. She managed that with grace and dignity and her family is forever grateful for the gift of her life and example. Shirley is survived by her son, Mike (Amy) Stec, daughter Maureen (Barry) Zimney, both of Rapid City, grandchildren Jarod (Julie) Stec of Rapid City, Nick Stec of Fort Collins, Laura (Adam) Holzer of Rapid City, Luke Zimney of Albuquerque and great-granddaughter, Rowan Holzer of Rapid City. She was preceded in death by her husband, George and brothers Arnold Red' Mutchler, Wilfred Pete' Mutchler and Harold Mutchler. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 30, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 4500 Jackson Boulevard. A Christian Wake and Rosary recitation will follow at 7:00 p.m. at the church. A Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 10:00 am at Blessed Sacrament Church, 4500 Jackson Blvd, with the Most Reverend Robert D. Gruss, Bishop of Rapid City Diocese as the celebrant. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery with a luncheon to follow back at the Blessed Sacrament Parish Hall. A memorial has been established to Youth and Family Services and to the Shirley Stec Memorial for the Rapid City Catholic School System.