Shelby had countless successes in life due to her innate ability to find creative ways to get things done and lead others to achieve their goals. She was never afraid of hard work whether manual labor, teaching, or management. More than anything else, Shelby impacted others by showing the love of Jesus to everyone with whom she came in contact, through her smile, genuine heart for people, and the seemingly endless oasis of joy that sprung from within her.
A midwestern girl, she spent most of her life in Southwest Kansas (Liberal and Dodge City) and enjoyed the last 11 years on the lake in Minnesota after meeting and falling in love with native Minnesotan, Brad Bainey. No matter the location, Shelby thoroughly enjoyed creating a home that she and others wanted to be in and stay for awhile. Hospitality and interior design were passions of hers and certainly gifts; she always went the extra mile for her guests. Another gift was music. Shelby spent all her life surrounded and blessed by music and blessed others with her talents. While she played bass and classical guitar, clarinet, organ, and piano, her singing took her around the world in her youth. She then shared her abilities through years of composing, arranging, directing, and coaching performances both as a paid profession and in the church.
There is nothing Shelby couldn’t do, and nothing that could stand in her way once she had her goal set. Motherhood was arguably her greatest accomplishment with endless sacrifice for her girls, truly unconditional love, and teaching by example to give your time and talents willingly and generously, to use your gifts or you’ll lose them, and once you decide to do something, do it with all you’ve got. She empowered them to be anointed women of God, seek after His heart, and have the courage to trust His voice.
Later in life, simple pleasures brought her great joy. She loved all four seasons and decorating for holidays, being on the lake with family and friends, watching birds, tending to her beautiful flowers, worship and jazz music filling the house, a Sunday afternoon Vikings or Twins game, or a good home-cooked meal, of course with dessert first because life is short! Her genuinely happy countenance was contagious and made her a delight to be around. You would never mistake Shelby, as she was always doing a little jig, whistling a little tune, or hollering out hello with a big boisterous wave or hug, even to strangers (sometimes embarrassing for her young daughters).
Shelby is survived by her husband Brad Bainey; daughter Kandee Kay Marchel and grandson Briggs Kavanagh; daughter Mindy Marchel; daughter Samantha Jorgensen (Aaron Jorgensen); bonus children Gina Bainey, Mona Edick (Ryan Edick), and Chuck Bainey (Meredith Bainey); bonus grandchildren Domanick Bainey, Devon Bainey, Craig Jones, Victoria Edick, Rylea Edick, Elsa Bainey, Evan Bainey; bonus great grandchildren Ava Bainey, Declan Bainey, and Anthony Jones; sister-in-law Suzi Nelson, brother Scott Nelson (Patty Nelson), sister Vici Myers (Tommy Myers); nieces Erin Bruno, Lindsay Nelson, Brook Nelson, Ami Higgins, and nephew Rion Rhoades. Preceded in death by her parents Dale Nelson and Rosemary Mann Shipe, bonus dad Dr. Glen Shipe; brother Doug Nelson; bonus grandson Jacob Jones.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11 am on Friday, September 10th, at Brad and Shelby’s home on Granite Lake, their little slice of heaven on Earth. Reception to follow (2709 Kimball Ave NW, Annandale, MN).
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Shelby Bainey Bible Camp Fund at Lake Union Church. This will send kids to church camp, which is where Shelby started her relationship with Christ in 1967 at Lake Koronis. You can give to that fund here: https://lakeunionchurch.org/give.