Shelby J. Waters

Age 86, of Okemos, MI, passed away on January 29, 2024.  She was born in Lansing MI on March 23, 1937, to Leo and Mildred Frandsen.

Shelby was raised in Lansing where she grew up with the love of her life, Edward.  She graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1955.  She and Edward were married at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in 1956.  They remained lifelong members of Bethlehem where Shelby served on Alter Guild for many years.

In 1959, Shelby and Ed built the family cottage at Maston Lake.  That was the place to spend time with family and special friends.  She welcomed guests, both those expected, and the occasional unexpected, with warmth and kindness.  It was her mission to make sure her guests always felt at home.  Many life lessons were taught and learned at the cottage through the years.  Those memories will always have a special place in the hearts of her family.

Shelby and Ed were big MSU sports fans.  Their passion was football and hockey.  They were season ticket holders of both sports for many years.  They enjoyed tailgating in the fall for football with their special friends and traveling to follow the hockey team in the winter.

Family always came first for Shelby.  She was generous with her time, and her devotion to those she loved was deeply felt by all.   Whether she was giving advice, providing a shoulder to cry on or just listening, she was always supportive to those she held dear in her heart.

Shelby is survived by her daughters Janell Liles, Jillayne (Tim) Nelson, cherished grandsons Nicholas (Laura), Brett (Natalie), step-granddaughters Suzanne (Andy) Hinman and Katherine Nelson, and great-grandchildren Brooklynn, Oliver and Tanner Liles and Lucas and Annabelle Hinman.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Lynn Frandsen, and husband Edward.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you and praise the staff at The Willows at Okemos for their compassionate kindness and loving care given to Shelby during her five-year residency.

There will be a memorial service held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope, Lansing, MI 48910. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church.