Shirley Jean Haines

Shirley Jean Haines ObituaryShirley Jean Haines passed away on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 in Watertown, SD. She was 98.936 years (1187 months & 7days or 5162 weeks & 2 days or 36,136 days! She will be sadly missed.
The mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00am, Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Watertown.
Visitation will be 5:00-7:00pm, Monday, November 17, 2025 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery near Grover, SD.
Memorials may be designated to the Holy Name of Jesus Church, St. Peter's Cemetery Association, Camp Chance (P.D.), Glacial Lakes Humane Society, Beacon Center or Pach Program.
Shirley Jean Haines, daughter of Edward O. and Emma (Ries) Hallauer was born on November 29, 1926 at Luther Hospital in Watertown, SD. She attended country school at Grover District 25 and then attended 9th grade at Immaculate Conception School in Watertown, graduating from Watertown High School in 1944. Following graduation, Shirley worked at the Watertown Public Opinion from 1944-1956.
On September 25, 1956 she married Robert "Bob" Haines at St. Henry's Catholic Church in Henry, SD and Shirley was blessed with Bob's three daughters. Bob was stationed with NATO in Izmir, Turkey where they lived for one year. They then lived in Omaha, NE where Bob was stationed with the 16th Corps for three years. The couple moved to Watertown in 1960. Shirley went back to work for the Watertown Public Opinion as a proof reader and at other various positions for eight years. She then began working at the Bureau of Reclamation for several years before retiring.
Shirley enjoyed her retirement with her husband and her mother who lived with them for 25 years. Lt. Col. Haines died in January of 1999 and her mother died in December of the same year.
Shirley also enjoyed working visitations at the Wight & Fox Funeral Chapel (Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel) and helping out in any way she could. She loved her family coming to visit, having martinis, playing Pinochle, working puzzles and dining out. She looked forward to having coffee with her many friends, baking, cooking and frequenting thrift stores.
She was a member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church and longtime member of Al-Anon. She had a great attitude and was always upbeat. Shirley was a one of a kind, loving and giving lady who will forever be missed by her family and friends who dearly loved her.
Shirley's memory will be forever cherished by her children, Margaret "Peg" Marsden of Hemet, CA, Susan (Steven) Keller of Minneapolis, MN and Beth Abercrombie of Winter Haven, FL; one sister, Sophie Hallauer of Minneapolis, MN; three grandchildren, Kate (Steven) Lewis, Noah Keller (Haley) and Hope Abercrombie; two great-grandchildren, Mathilde and John Keller Lewis; several nephews and nieces, Jim Zerfas, Edward (Sarah) Zerfas, Paul Haines, Lynn Haines, Scott Haines, and Kathy Haines; her faithful dog companion, Clancy; and her many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; her in-laws, Fred and Vera Haines; aunts, uncles, cousins; her sister, Lois Zerfas; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Cletus Zerfas, Arthur Haines, Jim and Ilene Haines and Harold and Margret Haines.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family - www.wightandcomes.
Shirley Jean Haines passed away on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 in Watertown, SD. She was 98.936 years (1187 months & 7days or 5162 weeks & 2 days or 36,136 days! She will be sadly missed.
The mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00am, Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Watertown.