Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas “Shady” Verschelde, 70, of Marshall, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Interment with military honors will follow the service at St. Edward Catholic Cemetery in Minneota. Attendees are invited to wear jeans and a plaid shirt or to dress casually for Shady’s services.
Thomas John “Shady” Verschelde was born on May 13, 1953, in Marshall, to Rene and Alice (Lanners) Verschelde. Shady grew up in Minneota, attending St. Edward Catholic School through the eighth grade and graduating from Minneota High School in 1971. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation, serving as a lineman in Germany during the Vietnam War. After returning home, Shady worked a few odd jobs, including for McLaughlin and Schulz and Appleton Silo. He worked over 25 years at the Schwan’s Ice Cream Plant in Marshall, working up from packer to team lead. Shady was also a member of the Minneota Fire Department for many years. Shady was a family man, and his favorite times were those spent with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed monthly Pizza Ranch trips with his siblings. In his free time, Shady liked to go fishing and hunting, and he also collected coins and salt and pepper shakers. He was an excellent cook, and he was proud of his canned jellies. Shady also enjoyed time spent at home doing crossword and Sudoku puzzles, watching the game show network or police procedurals, and spending time with his long-time companion Lily.
Shady died on Friday, October 27, 2023, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. He is survived by his children Jason (Tara) Johnson of Minneota, April (John) Fales of Taunton, Adam (Autumn) Verschelde of Watertown, SD, and Abbie (Ben) Hines of Marshall; grandchildren Jada Nielsen, Ryker Verschelde, Hadley Hines, Rebecca and Kaitlyn Silvers, Branden and Gavin Johnson, Truthton and Johnny Fales; great-grandchildren Odin and Freyja Idso; siblings James (Sandy) Verschelde, Nancy Wiese, Linda (Tim) Pedersen, and John (Carmela) Verschelde; as well as many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dennis Verschelde, grandson Dylan Nielsen, and beloved dog Lily.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Avera at Home Hospice.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the medical professionals who provided exceptional care to Shady in the last months of his life: Avera at Home, Avera Morningside Heights Care Center, and Sanford Health in Sioux Falls.
