Shirley Ann Risser, 85, Sanborn, ND passed away December 7, 2024, at her home under hospice care surrounded by her family.  There will be visitation at the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home Chapel in Valley City, ND, Monday, December 16 from 5:00-7:00 PM.  A prayer service will begin there at 7:00.  The funeral service will be in Sacred Heart Church, Sanborn, ND, Tuesday, December 17 at 11:00 AM.  Following a time of fellowship at the church, she will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery, Sanborn.  The service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with her obituary on her tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com.  An online guestbook is available there as well.

My story:  I always left notes to my kids letting them know where I went or who I was with.  I was born June 10, 1939, to Jacob and Adeline (Schwehr) Hanenberg.  I grew up in Sanborn, ND on a farm milking cows, feeding pigs and chickens before going to school most days.  I graduated in 1957 from Sanborn Public School.  Then I got a job at Green Valley Laundry.  In 1957, at a basketball game, I met the love of my life, Charles Risser.  We were married, April 30, 1958, at Nebo Lutheran Church in Valley City, ND.  Chuck and I welcomed seven children into the world.

I worked many jobs in my lifetime including waitress, cook, dishwasher and precook at Hilltop Café, Mac's Café, Kenny's, and Bus Barn.  These jobs helped me make big meals for my big family.

After retirement, Chuck and I traveled.  Wherever Chuck went, I went with.  I learned to get dressed really fast because when he was ready to go, he was ready to go.  We traveled to Montana, Oregon, and South Dakota to visit family.  Then came bingo night, casino night, and Saturdays were for dancing and supper.

I lost my husband on May 26, 2004, and it was a tough couple of years without him.  Then my sister, Mary Lou, and I went to bingo, the casino, and dancing together.  We even went to concerts and Nashville.  I was so happy to go a couple of times to Graceland and the Grand Ol Opry.

And today, I leave you my last note:  I want you to know…"that I went to Heaven to see Dad.  I love you, and I'll see you again."

Love Mom

Shirley is survived by daughters, Jeanette Swesey, Susan (Jim) Bolinske, and Janell (Kent) Barry; sons, Clayton (Kim), Raymond (Wanda), and Richard (Betty).  She also leaves her grandchildren, Jill (Ryan), Amanda (Doug), Lee (Kimi), Valyen (Tamara) Steph (Adam), Caitlyn (Chase), Rachel (Tommy), Jessica (Tony), Michelle (Tyler), Jo, Jenny (Jason) Kam (Britney), Matt (Chelsey), Jaden (Chris), Deserae, and Garett; great grandchildren, Justice (Austin), Dena, Logan, David, Leilani, Juliette, William, Greta, Graham, Boe, Finn, Richard, Jasmine, Mya, Jaxson, Iris, Scoty, Aydan, Amiliya, Bryleigh, Sawyer, Lucy, Lucas, and Eve; and a great great granddaughter, Lainey.  Her sisters, Katie Scofield, Adeline Greshik, Arlene Nelson, and Margie (Darrell) Ourenhagen; brother-in-law, Donald (Mae) Risser; special friends, Betty Gibbons, Gene Rorbach, and Della Namen; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Ronnie; son-in-law, Lee Swesey; brothers, Little Jake and Kermit; sisters, Donna Mae and Mary Lou; and in-laws, Harold (Delores) Risser, Clarence (Betty) Risser, Darrell (Tina) Risser, Dennis Greshik, Rodney Nelson, Clinton Nelson, and Earl Scofield.