Shirley Ann (Daniels) Pitcher

Shirley Ann (Daniels) Pitcher passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord and Savior on November 21, 2022 after a brave battle with cancer. Shirley was born on October 29, 1946 in Ainsworth, NE to Noral and E. Shirley (Wrage) Daniels. She joined her sister Constance (Connie) and was followed by brothers Steven (Steve) and Charles (Chuck). Her childhood years were spent helping her family on the ranch.
She was involved with all aspects of the ranching life from haying and milking to cooking for the family and the hired hands. Shirley attended various country schools, graduating from 8th grade at Raven School in South Brown County. She graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1964 and Rapid City National College of Business in 1966 with an Associate of Science in Business degree. During her college years she met the love of her life, Fred Pitcher. They were married in Falls Church, VA on May 31, 1969. They had three girls, Mindy was born in 1971, Tansy in 1973 and Holly in 1977. Fred and Shirley wished to raise their girls in a rural setting so they moved back to Shirley’s hometown of Ainsworth in 1978. This was one of the best decisions they ever made as Mindy, Tansy and Holly could not have asked for better childhoods!
Her greatest joy in life was her three girls, though she jokingly said next time she would have three boys, all with good legs! Her family’s happiness and well-being were her top priorities. Her greatest challenge as a mom was helping Tansy battle cancer for almost 20 years.
Over the years Shirley fulfilled many roles including wife, mom, rancher, secretary and caretaker. She was manager of the Ainsworth Senior Center where she proudly served for 20 years. After retirement she continued to enjoy ranch life and concentrate on her family and friends. She and Fred made it a priority to host “a cousins” week every summer when all five grandkids would stay with them. She believed it was very important to get the grandkids together to build lasting relationships and to “run wild” on the ranch. Shirley could make anything grow whether it was children, calves, vegetables, flowers, green grass or friendships.
God was Shirley’s guide through life and she was committed to letting Him lead. Her family at the
Ainsworth Evangelical Free Church meant a lot to her. They shared many of the joys and sorrows of her life. Fred and Shirley taught their girls about Jesus and His amazing love that surpasses all understanding. She made sure her girls and grandkids knew they needed Christ’s saving grace and encouraged them each to find a church family. When one of them shared a concern with her she would listen and give advice but usually ended the conversation saying, “Just pray for peace.” Fred and Shirley sold their ranch south of Ainsworth and officially retired to Sioux Falls, SD. They were able to be closer to doctors and watch the many activities of Mindy’s children. They also took multiple mini-vacations to western Nebraska to watch Holly’s children play ball. At any activity, Grammy could be heard in the stands yelling support for her grandkids.
Shirley is survived by her husband Fred. Their marriage of 53 years was a shining example of love and commitment that lasted through good times and sad! She is also survived by Mindy and her husband Brian Klatt of Sioux Falls, SD and their children, Jessarae and Easton; Holly and her husband Dean Cline of Bridgeport, NE and their children, Ellie, Megan and Riley; her sister Connie of Scottsbluff, NE; her brother Chuck of Ainsworth, NE and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and dear friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her daughter Tansy Forbes, parents Noral and Shirley Daniels, brother Steve Daniels, sister in-law Dianne Daniels, parents-in-law Fay and Sarah Pitcher, sister-in-law Abigail and her husband Joe Pesek.

She now safely rests in the arms of our Lord! Therefore, she made sure to say at the end of her life on earth, “this is not goodbye, it’s see you later!”

A Graveside Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023 in the Ainsworth Cemetery with Pastor Bruce Beebout as the officiant. In lieu of flowers, memorials were to be made to the Dougherty Hospice House of Sioux Falls in Shirley Ann’s name. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth assisted with arrangements and condolences may by left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com .