Shari Lynn Fowlds

Shari Lynn Fowlds, age 58, of rural Baltic, SD, passed away Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM Thursday, May 18, 2023, at West Nidaros Lutheran Church, Crooks, SD with Rev. Randall Questad officiating. Interment will be in the Pioneer Cemetery, rural Baltic. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at West Nidaros Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Pioneer Cemetery, the El Riad Shrine, or the Avera Foundation for breast cancer research.

Shari was born on March 10, 1965, in Sioux Falls, to Jack and Joann (Tidemann) Sluiter. She grew up south of Midway, helped with the Sluiter family Auction business, and graduated from Dell Rapids High School in 1983. After attending college at the University of South Dakota, she began her over 30-year career with Morrells/Smithfield.  On December 30, 2011, she married Jerry Fowlds, the love of her life.  For the last 2.5years, after Jerry and Bruce's untimely passing, Shari learned the business and led Dakotaland Trucking through its transition.

Shari was an extraordinary person with extraordinary skills sets.  She was a Jane-of-all Trades.  If a situation came about, she would figure it out by rolling up her sleeves through dedicated research, conversations, resources and stubbornness.  She would never shy away from a challenge.  Shari was intelligent, loving, strongly independent, poised, organized, thoughtful, honest, hard-working, dedicated, funny, and generous.   She was quit-witted and had a beautiful smile.   She had a genuine way of connecting with people.  Her co-workers at Smithfield and at Dakotaland were her second family and carried her through many difficult life situations.  She had a wide circle of friends who she stayed connected with calls, texts, and time spent together.  Businesses she frequented stated “Of course we know Shari, we look forward to when she comes in!”   She is a member of the East Nidaros Church, enjoyed watching the Minnesota Vikings and all sports, fishing, pet cow “Koda”, classic cars, sewing, canning, cooking, crossword puzzles, reading, and working outdoors on the property. She had an extensive collection of lawn ornaments which included her beloved green frogs. Shari and Jerry were the perfect couple, doing everything together and supporting each other in every aspect. Their true love was obvious to all and a reminder to love generously and unconditionally. In addition to daily life activities together, Shari and Jerry loved going out to the cabin on the Missouri River to participate in fishing tournaments with friends and family as well as attending the El Riad Shrine Classic Autos events.

Cancer is an ugly disease and Shari championed through it, twice, in one lifetime, with grace.  Shari was a Warrior and took cancer on by learning everything she could to make decisions, holding hope for another productive tomorrow, and having faith in God and her amazing medical team.  Shari didn’t discuss her cancer journey with others often as she wanted to keep a positive focus on life and do the things that made her happy.  And she was happy by spending time with each of you.

As we remember Shari’s legacy, may we challenge you to be like Shari:  To keep a positive outlook even in difficult times, to hold hope for another productive day ahead, keep moving forward no matter the hurt, have faith in God and your support team, actively be there for others, and be generous with your time, love, and resources.

Rest in peace dear Shari. We miss you, greatly.

Shari is survived by her brother, Shane (Becky) Sluiter, Sioux Falls and their children, Jackson and Matthew; aunts: Audrey Jones and Judy Tidemann; uncle: Merlyn (Barb) Tidemann; cousins: Eric Tidemann and Lisa (Tim Akridge) Tidemann; and a very special friend, Phyllis Schievelbein, Sioux Falls.  Daughter-in-law, Tammy (Erik) Paluk, children, Bryant, son-in-law, Darin (Dawn) Fowlds and their children, Corwin (Shelby) Fowlds, Shanda Fowlds, and Cheston Fowlds and their children.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jerry; her parents; grandparents; cousin, Laurie Tidemann; and brothers-in-law, Bruce and Jim Fowlds.