Photo online: https://www.hansonrunsvold.com/obituaries/Shelly-Fink/#!/Obituary

SHELLY FINK

August 23, 1990 —December 24, 2023

Fargo

Shelly Jean (Pherson) Fink was born on August 23, 1990 in Breckenridge, MN to Denny and Ione (Benson) Pherson of Rutland, ND. As a child, Shelly loved animals as much as she loved making people laugh. She was active in the 4-H horse program, Children's Summer Theater, gymnastics, and all things including art. She shared her creative talents in countless ways throughout her life.

She attended Sargent Central Schools, graduating in 2009. During her high school years, Shelly excelled in athletics, speech, Envirothon, and served as a 4-H State Ambassador, and 2007 Miss Sargent County. She spent one summer learning to train horses and earned a spunky filly she named Oakley.

After graduating from high school, Shelly joined the North Dakota Air National Guard where she was proud to be a Happy Hooligan. After completing training she attended NDSU studying Ag Education. Making Fargo her home she joined the LineBenders Improv Comedy Group, fostered animals from the shelter and helped them find a home, and shared her acting ability with police officers in Crisis Intervention Training. Airman Fink served her country as an Air Transportation Specialist during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

In 2011, Shelly was promoted to "Auntie Sessy". She loved spending time with and spoiling her nieces and nephews. She enjoyed watching each and every one of them grow, learn new things, and make fun memories together.

Shelly became a recruiter for the North Dakota Air National Guard in 2014 and educated all ages about the military - reading to classrooms, doing workshops with high school and college students, organizing activities in veterans' homes, and helping young airmen get the most of the military experience.

Also in 2011, she met the love of her life, Zack Fink while hosting Pub Trivia. They traveled together and spent time getting to know each other's families and friends. Establishing a solid relationship before spending 18 months apart in back-to-back deployments. On August 20th, 2016 they were united in marriage at Barnesville, MN. They made their home in North Moorhead with their dog Winnie, horse Oakley, and backyard chickens. She continued to foster animals, volunteer in her community, go camping and trail riding, competed in mounted shooting, and gave of herself to everyone she knew. Together they took trips to visit friends and family knowing spending time together is the greatest gift.

In 2021 they moved to Barnesville where they had enough space to build her dream barn, give her horses a home, add two cats to their family, and enjoy this beautiful life. Zack and Shelly also became foster parents and welcomed children into their safe and loving home.

After completing officer training in 2023, Shelly became a commissioned officer in the Air National Guard and took over the role as the Public Affairs Officer for the 119th Wing.

Shelly's life ended on December 24, 2023, but her light, stories, and laughter live on in all those she loves.

Remembering Shelly with great love are her husband Zack Fink; her parents, Ione and Denny Pherson; a brother Brian (Lyndsee) Pherson, and their children Paislee, Brooklyn, Kyler, and Blake; two sisters, Lisa (Tom) Pischke, and their children Jayden, Gavin, Brooklyn, and Preston; and Valerie Pherson. Her in-laws Steve and Diane Fink, Mike (Jennifer) Fink, and their children Victoria, Nathaniel, and Alexander; Janelle (Travis) Finseth, and their children Jordan Finseth, Brianna (Trevin) Roberts, and Brittney; Caleb (Marlana) Fink, and their daughter Delilah; Adelle (Devin) Casavant; and many, many extended family members and friends.

Preceding her in death are her Grandparents Ruby and Earle Benson, Dennis and June Pherson; an aunt Illa Long; and an uncle Lenny Pherson.

Join us for a celebration of life on Friday, January 12th, from 2-5pm at the Sanctuary Events Center in Fargo, ND. A family funeral and burial service will be held separately.