Cover photo for Shelley Dargis-Ohlgren's Obituary
Shelley Dargis-Ohlgren Profile Photo
1951 Shelley 2021

Shelley Dargis-Ohlgren

September 23, 1951 — September 5, 2021

Alexandria

Michelle “Shelley” Ann (Movold) Dargis-Ohlgren was born on September 23, 1951, to Beverly (Murray) and Jack Movold in Alexandria, MN.  Shelley quickly became her 5-year-old sister, Robin’s best friend and gift of a lifetime.

Shelley grew up in Alexandria, MN and graduated  from Jefferson High School in 1969.  She went on to earn her degree in art history at The University of Minnesota, which she applied to a career in graphic arts and a lifetime of creating art.

At a very young age Shelley grew to love the water…lakes, seas, oceans and rivers. She was a very spiritual person, the water was a huge part of that.  She loved every minute near or in it, and it helped her to heal in many ways.  Shelley sailed Lake Superior with friends on a sailboat race as a young woman and spent many days on ocean boats with her family in Florida.

Shelley was a devoted animal lover, all of her cats and dogs throughout her life were rescues.  Each of them were loved deeply and they returned her love unconditionally.  She had this dog whispering way of being right inside their hearts, in fact, other dogs that knew her, loved her as well.  If they were tall enough, they would hug her around her waist. Her dog, Shorty, will grieve for her just like family and friends.

As a voracious reader, Shelley would gobble up historical fiction and low country novels of her favorite authors, that took place on her trips to the ocean.  She also deeply enjoyed documentaries and foreign films.  Other things that Shelley never missed were games of Rummy 500 with the 3 Amigos (sister Robin, and their best friend Jana Maack), playing Words with Friends with Robin each morning and of course Vikings games.  She was a tremendous golfer and loved the game until she was no longer able to play.  Music was always a partner to Shelley.  The blues from Muddy Waters to Keb Mo and Tab Benoit, throw in some good 60’s tunes and you could almost sing along out loud.  Shelley was a gourmet cook, a master of seafood with her favorites of blue crab and she crab soup.  It wasn’t just holidays that she would go all out on and if you were lucky enough to have been her dinner guest, you would never forget it.

Shelley’s love of painting was also spiritual, her work flowed through her hands as if it were a river. She’d step back to look at what she had done…we’d also step back and look around her and the colors and light and depth blew us away.  Our hearts are broken.  Shelley taught others how to live in a world filled with color and depth and to embrace all shades of life.  She was a survivor of several life threatening and life altering illnesses, and never complained.

We rejoice that perhaps at this very moment she is swinging a golf club and sailing to a new shore in a perfect body without pain.  We rejoice that we will see her again.

Shelley passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 5, 2021, at her home at the age of 69.  She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Jack and Beverly Movold; her husband, Patrick Dargis; and many beloved dogs and cats.  Shelley is survived by her sister, Robin (Terry) Niedenfuer; nieces, Stacey (Michael) Crosby and Jessie (Jay) Wacek ;and great nieces and nephews: Jackson, Charlie and Piper Crosby and Andrew, Peter, and Samuel Wacek; stepchildren:  Kai desRosiers, Mark Dargis, Lauren and Allyson Ohlgren; and sister at heart, Jana (Steve) Maack.

A special thank you to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Carlos First Responders, North Memorial Ambulance, and LifeLink for their fast response, care and concern for Shelley.

A Celebration Of Life at the Legacy of the Lakes Boat House with Blues and Barbeque will be held from 4-7 PM on Friday, October 22, 2021.  We invite you all to come and share some Shelley stories with us.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to:
Anatomy Bequest Program at the University of Minnesota:  3-102 Nils Hasselmo Hall; 312 Church St. SE; Minneapolis, MN 55455-0215
Legacy of the Lakes Museum:  P.O Box 1216; 205 3rd Ave W; Alexandria, MN 56308
Misfit Acres,  Mankato, MN (Horse rescue):  12480 550th Ave; Amboy, MN 56010

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shelley Dargis-Ohlgren, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Celebration of Life Gathering

Friday, October 22, 2021

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Legacy of the Lakes Museum

205 3rd Ave W, Alexandria, MN 56308

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