Mae Shulson

Mae (Heitmann) Shulson, formerly of St. Thomas, North Dakota, passed away on March 8, 2026, at Wheatcrest Hills in Britton, South Dakota, at the age of 99.

Born on May 1, 1926, in Marshall County, South Dakota, to Louis and Martha (Manthie) Heitmann, Mae grew up attending school in Lake City, where she graduated from Lake City High School. She went on to earn her teaching certificate from Northern State Teachers College and taught for two years in Hecla as well as at several country schools in Marshall County.

On June 4, 1949, she married Sanford Shulson at the Lake City Baptist Church. The couple lived briefly in Elgin, North Dakota, before settling in St. Thomas, where they made their home for the rest of their married life. They shared more than 70 years together until Sanford’s passing on March 8, 2023. Mae then moved to Wheatcrest Hills in Britton.

While in St. Thomas, Mae served as business manager for the St. Thomas School, and she held positions as treasurer and secretary on various boards over the years. A longtime member of St. Thomas Methodist Church, she was also a dedicated supporter of the Republican Party and regularly attended its state conventions. Mae and Sanford enjoyed traveling together and visited every state except Hawaii. She found great joy in crocheting and knitting, creating many cherished pieces for her nieces, nephews, and their children.

Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Martha Heitmann; her siblings, Lois Lee and Leonard Heitmann; her niece, Pam Robertson; and her nephew, Greg Hanson. She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Jan Just, Kay Rear, Marlene Kann, Tom Lee, Robert Lee, Ronnie Lee, Larry Heitmann, Randy Heitmann, and Nick Heitmann.