Sheldon D. Churchill, 94, of Grand Meadow, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, two days after a good game of 500 with his family, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Marys Campus-Rochester with family at his side.

Sheldon Dale Churchill was born April 29, 1924, in Spring Valley, Minnesota, to Dale and Iva (Dornink) Churchill. On Oct. 9, 1946, he was united in marriage to Laurene Davis. To this union, six children were born.

If you knew Sheldon, you knew his famous smile, his love of life, and his laughter. You knew he was always up for any game with his friends, children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. He was always instigating a lively game of cards, croquet, softball (pitching into his 80s, although he did have a pinch runner), Monopoly, Farkle (he was the Farkle King!), volleyball, etc.

Sheldon lived his life fully and was always content in his life. When asked if he ever missed being on a tractor after he had a heart attack in 2017, he thought for a moment, and then said, “No, I just always believed that you have to be happy where you are.” That giant smile always showed he truly believed that. He was a long-time dairy farmer on a farmstead near Dexter, Minnesota, and a long-time member of St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church. In 2013, Sheldon was awarded the Senior Citizen of the Year Award of Mower County for his dedicated volunteer work, including ‘Cards with Sheldon’ at the Grand Meadow Nursing Home.

Sheldon is survived by his children, Linda (Ron) Alberts of Rochester, Minnesota, Irene McKenzie of Glencoe, Minnesota, Barb (Mike) Smith of Ankeny, Iowa, Steve (Marie) Churchill of Dexter, Mary (Tom) Bryson of Vancouver, Washington, and Sandy (Tim) Gallagher of Buffalo, Minnesota; sister, Mary Ann Hennessy of La Mesa, California; brother, Jack (Josie) Churchill of Grand Meadow; 26 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Laurene Churchill; brother, Bert Churchill; son-in-law, Darrell; brother-in-law, Don Hennessy; and parents, Iva and Dale Churchill.

Special thanks to the staff at the Grand Meadow Health Care Center.

Funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at St. Finbarr Catholic Church in Grand Meadow with Father Mareddy Pothireddy officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at Hindt Funeral Home in Grand Meadow and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Burial will take place in St. Finbarr Cemetery following the service. Hindt Funeral Home of Grand Meadow is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com.