Isabelle Short, 93, of Brookings, formerly of Aurora, died Saturday morning, Jan. 27, 2018, at the United Living Community in Brookings.  

Funeral services are at 10 a.m.  Saturday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Brookings. Burial is at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Elkton. Visitation will begin on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. with a scripture service and Rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Arrangements by Skroch Funeral Chapel, Elkton.

Isabelle Casilda Gebhart was born on a farm near Elkton, the seventh of 11 children of George and Margaret (Lanners) Gebhart on July 9, 1924.  She attended St. Mary’s school for three years and completed her elementary education at rural Parnell No. 5.  Her high school years were spent in Elkton.  

After graduation she attended Dakota State University in Madison and South Dakota State University, where she completed her master of education degree.  Isabelle taught nine years in rural schools and later taught for 24 years at the Elkton Public School. Approximately 17 of these years she was the first elementary principal in Elkton.  

Isabelle married Donald Short on Feb. 17, 1947, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Elkton and they had seven children.  She served on the Elkton Community Library Board and Community Museum Board.  

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Aurora and the Catholic Daughters of Brookings.  She has served on St. Williams Parish Council, Altar Society and Cemetery Boards.  She was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Brookings.

Isabelle is survived by her children, Mary (Gary) Messerli of Sioux Falls, Charles Short of Aurora, Edward (Vanessa) Short of Aurora, Robert (Mary Jane) Short of Aurora, Joseph Short of Aurora, Susan (Douglas) Nelson of Sioux Falls and the Rev. John Short of Mitchell; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Francis Van Sambeek; sister-in-law, Phyllis Poppen; and many nieces, nephews and friends.  

Isabelle was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Short; seven brothers, Joseph Gebhart, Leo (Matilda) Gebhart, Felix (Vera) Gebhart, John Gebhart, George (Anastasia) Gebhart, Edward Gebhart, and Richard Gebhart; three sisters, Mary (Nick) Peterson, Margaret (Loyd) Leiferman, and Theresa Van Sambeek; sister-in-law, Shirley (Leonard) Harvey; and several nieces and nephews.

For online condolences, visit www.skrochfc.com.