Rachelle “Shelley” Early 10/13/2025

Rachelle “Shelley” Ann Early, dedicated wife, mother, friend and community member,
passed away peacefully on October 13th, 2025. Her final restful hours were filled with
family, laughter, tears and an outpouring of love.

George and Janice “Faye” Ring welcomed Shelley to this world on September 26th, 1956, at St. Joseph’s hospital in St. Paul, MN. She spent her childhood in Somerset, WI, where she eventually met her husband, Mike, at the Terrace Supper Club where she was a server. After a four-month whirlwind courtship, the two were married and inseparable ever since. While growing their family, Shelley touched countless lives and made everybody feel welcome through her service to others. Curious, open, and nonjudgmental – those lucky enough to know her, even briefly, can report that when she talked to you, you knew you mattered and were seen.

She was an ever-doting mother to her three children – Sarah (Brian “Vinnie” Baar), Colin
(Angela) and Sean (Kalli), and constant friend and companion to her husband Mike “Waco” for nearly 50 years of marriage. For the last two decades her eight grandchildren provided an endless well of joy. Connor, Mickey, Quinn, Evelyn, Declan, Aislin, Eamon and Archie will remember “Mémé” as she was, on their recent trips to Ireland and the Jersey Shore – where she was in her element, full of bliss.

Her family takes comfort in knowing she is reunited with family and friends too numerous to name. They’ll miss her uncanny organization and cleaning skills, her thoughtful cards, newspaper clippings, considerate gifts, surprise photo-prints in the mail, Somerset cheers, angelic singing voice and her ultra-competitive streak around the Sequence & Scrabble boards.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at Ready
Randy’s in New Richmond, WI. A celebration of life and prayer service will be held
immediately after, with food and reception to follow from 3:00-5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Greg and Sadie Ring Memorial Fund (Somerset High School, Somerset WI.) or The Retreat Women’s Center in Wayzata, MN (www.theretreat.org).