Michelle "Shelly" Joy Alaniz

Shelly was born Michelle Joy Fisk to Tom and Carol (Huntley) Fisk on November 2, 1961 in Lansing, Michigan. Tom and Carol had four children; Kim, Michelle, Sandy and Mary. They divorced and Carol remarried; this union gave Shelly two more brothers- David and Jerry Bretz. As a siding installer, Shelly’s step-father’s job moved the blended family often between Michigan, Texas and Wyoming. Lots of new towns and different schools, gave Shelly a dynamic personality and the ability to befriend the world in an instant.

Shelly graduated from Spring Hill High School in Longview, TX on May 29, 1980. After completing one year of college in Kilgore, TX; Shelly moved with the family to Sheridan, WY. There she met and married Darren Good on July 11, 1981, this union gave Shelly her bundle of joy- Kevin Micheal Good. The couple moved to Gillette, WY when Kevin was a toddler. The couple separated and later divorced.

Shelly met Dave Alaniz at Kick’s in the Holiday Inn on December 31, 1991. Shelly asked Dave to dance and they never stopped for the next 34 years. Meeting Dave gave Shelly a daughter, Ann LaVonne. A son was born to Shelly and Dave on January 4, 1933, Joseph Thomas Alaniz was born extremely premature. He had several heart defects and carried a pacemaker. Joseph was as tough as nails and onery as a badger; but his little heart gave out when he was 2 ½ years old.

Shelly and Dave were married December 31, 2008. The theme was New Years in Paris. For $1,000 the couple put on a ceremony worth $1,000,000; with the help of their caring kids; there was lots of dancing.

Shelly’s interests and career were bundled into one. She lived to make people’s lives better. She volunteered at Gillette Abuse Refuge Foundation (GARF) and was their employee as a Volunteer Coordinator and Grant Writer. As a Peace Corp member Shelly worked for the City of Gillette in the Recycling Department- helping special needs adults sort recyclables. She was a teacher’s aid for special needs kids in Campbell County Schools and BOCES. In the private sector Shelly cared for special needs adults. For several years she was also a grant writer for Hospice of Gillette.

Shelly is preceded in passing by her son, Joseph; father, Tom; sisters, Sandy and Mary; brother-in-laws, David Rose and Howard Phillips; and nephew, David Phillips of Worland, WY. She is survived by her husband, Dave; son, Kevin (Amanda); daughter, Ann (Chad); embraced daughter, Deni Steimer Kuntz; mother, Carol; stepmom, Sharon; brothers, Kim, David and Jerry; best friends, Dora Conzelman and Janice Hauber; granddaughter, Aspen; grandsons, Bayker, Ethan, Daniel and Dawson. As “Favorite Aunt Shelly” there are nieces and nephews that stretch out to all horizons and beyond. She loved them all so much.

Celebration of life will fill up the 4th of July weekend 2026. A Crafting Bee will be held at Gillette Eagle’s Lodge on the evening of July 3, 2026. On Saturday, July 4, 2026 a Taco Fest (Shelly’s Most Favorite) will be at 23 Danielle Ave; if Mother Nature permits- fireworks after dark. On Sunday, July 5, 2026 a lawn-chair circle at Shelly’s house will be to share stories of a beautiful life; now that could be all day.

A special mention must be made of Ms. Knickers, Shelly’s kitty companion. It could be said that they were joined at the hip since that is where Knicker’s slept each night.