This community was shocked and plunged into sadness on Sunday, December 24, 2023, when word was received here that Rutland native Shelly (Pherson) Fink had died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 33 years 4 months and 1 day.
Shelly Jean Pherson was born on August 23, 1990, in Breckenridge MN to Dennis and Ione (Benson) Pherson of Rutland, ND. She grew up on the Pherson family’s farmstead on the north edge of Rutland. She learned how to ride a horse almost before she knew how to walk. Shelly was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland. As a child, Shelly loved animals as much as she loved making people laugh. She was active in the 4-H horse program, Children’s Summer Theater, Rutland Community Theater, gymnastics, high school basketball and all things creative, including art. She shared her creative talents in countless ways throughout her life. Shelly could always inspire smiles and laughs with her quick quips, one-liners and comebacks in any situation.
Shelly attended Elementary and High School at Sargent Central, graduating from high school in 2009. During her high school years, Shelly excelled in athletics, speech, Envirothon, served as a 4-H State Ambassador, and as Miss Sargent County 2007. She spent one summer learning to train horses and earned a spunky filly she named Oakley.
After graduating from high school, Shelly joined the North Dakota Air National Guard. She was proud to be one of North Dakota’s “Happy Hooligans”. After completing Air Force Basic Training, she enrolled at NDSU in Fargo, studying Ag Education. She joined the LineBenders Improv Comedy Group, fostered animals from the local shelter and helped them find homes, and shared her acting ability with police officers in Crisis Intervention Training. Airman Pherson served her country as an Air Transportation Specialist during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Shelly became a recruiter for the North Dakota Air National Guard in 2014 and educated all ages about the military – reading to classrooms, doing workshops with high school and college students, organizing activities in veterans’ homes, and helping young airmen get the most out of their military experience. Shelly was a proud member of Bergman-Evenson Post #215 of the American Legion in her hometown of Rutland.
In 2011, Shelly met the love of her life, Zack Fink, while hosting Pub Trivia. They traveled together and spent time getting to know each other’s families and friends. Establishing a solid relationship before spending 18 months apart in back-to-back overseas deployments with the Air Guard. On August 20th, 2016, they were united in marriage at Barnesville, MN. They made their first home in North Moorhead with their dog Winnie, horse Oakley, and several backyard chickens. Shelly continued to provide foster care for animals, volunteer in her community, go camping and trail riding, compete in mounted shooting, and give of herself to those in need of her love and humor. Together she & Zack took trips to visit friends and family knowing that spending time together is the greatest gift.
In 2021 Shelly & Zack moved to Barnesville where they had enough space to build her dream barn, give her horses a home, add two cats to their family, and enjoy this beautiful life. Zack and Shelly also became foster parents and welcomed children into their safe and loving home. Shelly completed Air Force Officer Training in 2023 and became a commissioned officer in the North Dakota Air National Guard. She was assigned to take over the duties of the Public Affairs Officer for the 119th Wing. She also had a civilian job, working for Hatch Realty in Fargo. Shelly’s life among us suddenly ended on December 24, 2023, but her love, light, energy, stories, and laughter live on in all those she knew and loved.
Shelly is survived by: her husband, Zack Fink of Barnesville MN; her parents, Ione and Dennis Pherson of Rutland; a brother, Brian (Lyndsee) Pherson, and their children Paislee, Brooklyn, Kyler and Blake of Rutland; two sisters, Lisa (Tom) Pischke, and their children, Jayden, Gavin, Brooklyn and Preston of Sioux Falls SD; and, Pastor Valerie Pherson of Sioux Falls SD; her in-laws, Steve and Diane Fink, Mike (Jennifer) Fink, and their children Victoria, Nathaniel, and Alexander; Janelle (Travis) Finseth, and their daughters, Brianna (Trevin) Roberts, and Brittney; Caleb (Marlana) Fink, and their daughter Delilah; Adelle (Devin) Casavant; and, by many extended family members and innumerable friends.
Preceding her in death are her grandparents: Ruby and Earle Benson; Dennis and June Pherson; and, her aunt, Illa Long.
Shelly’s friends were invited to join her family for a celebration of life on Friday, January 12th, from 2-5pm at the Sanctuary Events Center in Fargo, ND. A family funeral and burial service were planned to be held separately. The North Dakota Air National Guard had conducted military rites honoring Shelly prior to the Celebration of Life. Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home of Fargo ND was in charge of arrangements. www.hansonrunsvold.com
The people of the Rutland community extend their sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Shelly Fink, a bright and beautiful light shining through the darkness.
Sargent Central High School Choir will be doing Valengrams again! They will sing one song and give your loved one/friend a single rose for $20. (Sargent Central district only). You can choose a song or they can: L-O-V-E; Fly Me to the Moon; My Girl; My Guy; Unchained Melody; Can’t Help Falling For You; You’ve Got a Friend in Me; Skinnamarink – I Love You; Perfect (Ed Sheeran). Money goes to the Sargent Central Music Department. Deadline is February 1st. Call Kaia Mahrer at 701-680-8778 or email at kaia.mahrer@k12.nd.us to reserve your loved one the best Valentine’s gift around.
The Rutland Vitalant Blood Drive will be held on Tuesday, January 30th, at Rutland City Hall starting at 2:45 p.m. Vitalant staff will be containing previous blood donors but it you don’t get a phone call and want to donate be sure to stop by before 6 p.m.
The 29th Annual Anderson Partners Pinochle tournament will be held at Rutland City Hall on Saturday, February 3. Teams can register by contacting Sonja Christensen at cschristensen@midco.net or by phone at 701-642-6793. Cost is $40 per couple. Be sure to register and come and join the fun. The Rutland Community Club will be serving up scallop potatoes and ham for the hungry folks.
2024 is a Presidential election year and that also means its election year in Rutland. This year there will be several positions to be filled in the June 11 election. City positions on the ballot include Mayor, two City Council Member four-year terms, and three Park Board positions for four-year terms. Qualifications for Elected Office include being a City resident for at least nine (9) months preceding the election and eligibility for elective office. Candidates for City offices may file Petitions/Certificates of Nomination with the City Auditor containing the signatures of not less than 10% of the number of qualified voters who voted for that office in the last City election. The 2024 Petition/Certificate of Interest signature requirements are as follows: For any office no less than six (6) signatures will be required.
Petitions may be circulated beginning January 1, 2024, and are due to the City Auditor by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024. Filing for City Office will require the following forms:
Petition/Certificate of Nomination (SFN 2704) (Submit to City Auditor)
http://www.nd.gov/eforms/Doc/sfn02704.pdf
Statement of Interest (SFN 10172) (submit to City Auditor)
http://www.nd.gov/eforms/Doc/sfn10172.pdf
Complete instructions and on-line fill-able forms may be found at the North Dakota Secretary of State website: http://www.sos.nd.gov/ Under Elections, select Candidates. Application forms are available online or at the Rutland Senior Center, Rutland City Hall or from the Rutland City Auditor by email at rutlandnd@drtel.net or call 724-3081.
Thanks to Bill for the beautiful summary and tribute to Shelly. That’s it for this week. Get out and enjoy the heat wave that is supposed to be coming our way.
rutlandramblings 