Dolores Shanks

Dolores Shanks, 92, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls. A private family graveside service will take place at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls.

Dolores “Dody” Shanks was born on December 15, 1933, in Garretson, SD, to Floyd and Inez Wroe. She grew up in Arlington, SD, where she attended school, waitressed at a local café beginning at age 13, voted prom queen and graduated on May 23, 1951, from Arlington High School. She was blessed to have met Harold Shanks in High School and they were married on February 2, 1952, for 63 years. Harold was then stationed in Rapid City, SD, where they moved for a short time before returning to Sioux Falls.

Dolores was a homemaker and enjoyed several hobbies, such as gardening, crocheting her signature slippers, baking, and cooking from scratch. She attended the Church of Christ and was involved hosting families many times over the years. She loved animals and had a deep compassion for any stray that came her way. Dolores deeply loved her grandkids and great-grandkids and they were the light of her life.

We would like to share with you some special memories from her grandkids: Sleepovers on blow-up beds, her chiming clock collection, homemade pancakes (with slices of cheese on top), her famous lemon cake and cry baby cookies, trips to the Dollar Store, playing Gin Rummy, Combo and hide the thimble, homemade soup and spaghetti, leaving school for lunch at grandmas, leveling up grades with her Hooked on Phonics, and reading books at nap time.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Wayne (Janelle) Shanks of Colton, SD, Susan (Jim) Kostboth of Sioux Falls, SD, and Sonia (Jim) Volden of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Jason, Jeremy, Jayme, Cory, Kami, and Luke; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Inez (Egge) Wroe; husband, Harold Shanks; brother, Duane Wroe; and sister, Jeannie Abbott.

Thank you to all of the care givers who spent time with her from hospice (you were very special to her) and Dow Rummel staff for caring for her needs. We felt blessed to have her receive such loving care.