Petronella Shirk

Petronella’s memorial mass will be livestreamed below at 1:00 pm, Monday, September 15, 2025

Petronella (Pet) Evangeline Shirk was born on February 6, 1927, in Grand Forks, ND, to Wilmath (Bill) Sr. and Lillian Hastings. Pet was the first born of 7 children.

She married Orland Hugh (Buck) Shirk, her college sweetheart, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Grand Forks, on April 17, 1947.

Pet was a long-time member of St Mary’s parishes in Grand Forks and Fargo. She enjoyed playing the organ during Sunday services.

She graduated from high school in Grand Forks, and went to UND for 2 years. In 1977, she completed her dream by obtaining a diploma from North Dakota State University. She worked at St. Luke’s Hospital where she took her medical technology training but her employer was the Neuropsychiatric Institute. Pet thoroughly enjoyed her work as a medical technologist where she drew patients’ blood and did lab work.

Pet was a member of the Sons of Norway and a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Pet traveled on several cruises. She considered the 1999 trip to Antarctic as one of her life’s highlights. It was a solo cruise at the age of 72.

Pet was a landlord who owned several apartments. She was a very capable and handy individual who did many of the maintenance and upkeep tasks of her rentals. All her tenants considered Pet a friend and not just a landlord.

When Pet was not busy with her rentals, she enjoyed gardening, doing puzzles and playing cards. The most important activities were socializing and dancing. Wherever there was a dance, she would be there. Now she is dancing in Heaven.

Over the decades of her life, she has seen many changes. She grew up during the Great Depression, World War II, the 1950 Grafton flood and the 1957 Fargo tornado.

Pet passed away at the age of 98 under the care of the Sanford Fargo Hospice House.

Pet is preceded in death by her husband Buck, her parents, three sisters Mary Lou, Lillian (Bitsy), Mildred and two brothers Paul and George.

She is survived by her youngest brother Wilmath (Bill) Jr. (Linda); sons Patrick (Kitty) Littleton, CO, William (Judy Wong), Fargo, ND, Timothy, Rolette, ND, Michael, Fargo, ND; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sanford Fargo Hospice House.

A visitation and memorial mass followed by a reception will be held September 15 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fargo. Visitation begins at 12:15 p.m. with mass at 1:00 p.m.

Interment to be set for a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Forks, ND.