Service: Sheila donated her body to the University of South Dakota for medical education and scientific study. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her memory are encouraged to support an animal shelter, rescue, or other animal-welfare organization in their own community.
Sheila Ray, 74, passed away on August 26, 2026, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sheila was born September 26, 1951, to Laurence and Mary (Peg) Schreurs. She grew up in Alvord, Iowa, and graduated from West Lyon High School. She attended Wayne State College before earning her undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University and her master’s degree from the City University of New York’s Bernard M. Baruch College.
Sheila built a successful career in healthcare consulting and, in 1990, founded her own consulting firm, which she owned and operated for decades. Her career took her to the East Coast, where she and her husband, Timothy Ray, made their home for many years while also calling Colorado home part-time.
Sheila and Tim shared an active and adventurous life. Together, they enjoyed scuba diving, skiing, sailing, hiking, traveling, and seeking out new experiences. In the 2000s, they transitioned their lives westward, calling both Colorado and Arizona home. Of all the places Sheila lived and traveled, she often said Colorado felt most like home to her.
Sheila’s sense of adventure continued well into her 60s. She enjoyed skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, traveling, and riding horseback. After Tim’s death in 2013, Sheila continued to embrace life on her own terms. She remained active and social and enjoyed gathering with friends, lively conversation, a good story, and the simple pleasure of an afternoon or evening spent in good company.
Sheila maintained friendships across both years and miles. She remained close with longtime friends from her years on the East Coast while building treasured friendships in Colorado and Arizona and maintaining dear friends in Montana, California, and elsewhere. Following Tim’s death, these friendships became an especially important source of companionship, laughter, and support.
Animals were another constant in Sheila’s life. She generously supported organizations devoted to animal welfare. Golden retrievers shared her life for many years, including her beloved Romeo Ray and, more recently, Reggie Ray, who became her faithful companion. Over the years, she rode horseback and owned and cared for her own horses, as well.
Sheila shared a special and enduring bond with her nieces, Theresa Mehrman, Jacqui Grotewold, and Mary Schreurs. She took a genuine interest in their education, careers, and lives, staying connected through regular conversations, visits, and travels together. Their shared adventures included trips to New York City, Florida beaches, Las Vegas, Mexico, and Hilton Head, as well as visits to Sheila’s homes in the West. Throughout their lives, Sheila showed her nieces the value of being ambitious, self-reliant, and adventurous.
Sheila was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2023. She faced the disease as she did much of life—directly and on her own terms. Near the end of her life, Sheila came to the Sioux Falls area to be close to her three nieces, Theresa, Jacqui, and Mary. She spent two weeks in Theresa’s home receiving hospice care before transitioning to the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she passed away on August 26, 2026.
Sheila is survived by her nieces, Theresa Mehrman, Jacqui Grotewold, and Mary Schreurs and their families; her faithful golden retriever, Reggie Ray; her siblings, Doug (Jeanne) Schreurs, Judi (Cliff) Dunham, and Dan (Rachel) Schreurs; other extended family members; and many dear friends across the country. She was preceded in death by her husband, Timothy Ray; her parents, Laurence and Mary Schreurs; her brother, Bill Schreurs; and her nephew, Matt Schreurs.
Sheila donated her body to the University of South Dakota for medical education and scientific study. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her memory are encouraged to support an animal shelter, rescue, or other animal-welfare organization in their own community.
Sheila was accomplished, adventurous, direct, generous, strong-willed, and, yes, stubborn. A friend described her aptly as “remarkable and complex.” She lived on her own terms, remained curious about the world, and cared deeply for the people and animals she chose to share her life with. For her nieces, the example of a woman unafraid to make her own way may be among the most enduring parts of her legacy.
This breaks my heart. Met Sheila at Cattail Creek in Maryland. We had a lot of fun in those days. Sheila was my favorite. Condolences to the family. I knew her and I know she will be missed💔
I worked with Sheila when she was consulting. She was energetic and full of ideas.
So sorry to hear of her death.
We were extremely lucky to become closer to our neighbor Sheila over the last 10 years. She often joined us for holidays and gathering of friends. We are glad she was in our lives.
We were extremely lucky to become closer to our neighbor Sheila over the last 10 years. She often joined us for holidays and gathering of friends. We are glad she was in our lives.
I was so sorry to hear of Sheila’s passing. I was lucky to have had her as a close friend at West Lyon. In early 2023, I visited with her at her AZ home and will cherish our conversations. Know that I am thinking of the entire Scheurs family and sending my most sincere sympathies. 💔
My heart hurts for your loss.
I had the pleasure of Sheila’s close friendship through Highschool at West Lyon. We spent many an hour together being teenage girls talking about girl stuff and of course the boys. We did all the extra curricular school activities together -cheerleading, drama, chasing boys etc., what a gal she was. We had so much fun as school days should be; and our grades never suffered as Sheila was smart as a whip and cute as they come. Everyone loved her dimples and her big smile and kindness.
We lost touch after a few years as our life paths were different, but I never forgot our dear Sheila Schreurs and our space in time.
Rest in peace Sheila Kay, we remember you well with LOVE.
Lana (Dieren) Pink
Sheila and I spent many hours together in Arizona..walking our dogs and sharing wine on her patio. With Robin Hardesty and Betsy Bogin we often got together for Happy Hour…laughing as Sheila entertained us with her love interests and amusing stories. In 2022 Sheila traveled with me to Amsterdam down to Budapest. While in Amsterdam Sheila hired a private driver and we drove two hours to the Scheurer’s bakery where Sheila met long lost relatives. It was a joyous moment for her, even with the language barrier, as she shared pictures and memories. Her diagnosis was an adjustment which she met with determination and hope. Happy Hours continued even when she was fatigued and weary. It seemed like getting together with “the girlz” was positive for dealing with her condition. Reggie was often at the table. Rest in peace my good friend..Happy Hour will never be as happy without you!! You will be missed!
My deepest condolences to the Schreurs family. Although we were 10 years apart ing age, Sheila was my favorite cousin on the Allen side of our family as we were “birthday buddies.” I can still remember the last time she came to visit my mom.
She had such s beautiful soul that radiated through her sweet smile.
I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. I too grew up in Alvord. I knew Sheila as sweet and in control. I was an under classmate. We rode the bus to West Lyon together and she taught all of us on the bus the lyrics to every Beatles song there was. So we daily sang all the way to school. I still remember them. She was fun and she will be greatly missed.
Am saddened to hear of Sheila’s passing. She always had a lust for life and I’ve no doubt her light will shine on thru others. We graduated West Lyon H.S. together and had fun times as bandmates. My condolences.
A true friend and a steady light in my life for over 50 years. Sheila and I met as collage students at NAU in Flagstaff, AZ. Evan as life changed around us, our bond remained an unchanging constant – a rare gift of understanding that only a lifelong friendship can forge. Rest peacefully, my dear friend.
Praying for your family
I am very saddened to learn of Sheila’s passing. A positive force in the universe is gone. I knew Sheila personally and professionally for decades. I respected her immensely but even more importantly I always loved being in her company. We laughed a lot and even swore a little. And we shared a love for animals and travel.
With heartfelt sympathy.
With thanks that you were my classmate of 1969 grad class of West Lyon 69.
We lost touch after grads as many do, but am so proud of your accomplishments.
may your light shine on as the new peaceful next journey continues.