Shirley Jean (Gronewold) Ching, daughter of Herman and Lena (Adams) Gronewold, was born July 26, 1927 in Watertown, South Dakota. She grew up and received her education there and graduated from Watertown High School. After her marriage to Robert L. Ching on April 27, 1947 at St. Martins Lutheran Church they farmed at rural Castlewood. She entered the Estelline Nursing and Care Center on September 30, 2011 and died there on Monday, February 27, 2012 at the age of 84 years. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Castlewood where she was active in Presbyterian Women's groups. Shirley was also a member of the Castlewood American Legion Auxiliary and the Watertown V.F.W. Auxiliary. She enjoyed bowling, golf, needle point, gardening and traveling and loved to be around her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grateful for having shared her life are her husband Robert of almost 65 years; their children, Steve Ching and his wife Marlys of Castlewood, David Ching and his wife Lee of Plymouth, MN, Terry Ching and his wife Kathy of Watertown, Mike Ching of Watertown, Linda Gerhold and her husband Dan of Castlewood, Doug Ching and his wife Vicky of Estelline; 21 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; one sister Marvel Johnson of Watertown; and a host of other relatives and friends. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and one infant son, Mark John. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M., Saturday, March 3, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church in Castlewood. Burial will be in the Castlewood Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday at Geise Funeral Chapel in Castlewood.