Shirley Bradsteen

Shirley passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Sheyenne Crossings in West Fargo, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley and the loving staff at the nursing home. Shirley J. Simonson was born on September 6, 1938, in Moorhead, MN, the daughter of Edwin and Martha (Wambach) Simonson. She grew up in the Georgetown, MN and New York Mills, MN areas before moving to Fargo with her family. She received her education in Fargo at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School and later at Agassiz. Shirley has made her home in Fargo where she raised her family. She worked at the Pink Pussy Cat in Fargo – also as a Foreman at Fargo Wire in West Fargo for many years – and also at GPK in Fargo. Two of Shirley’s greatest accomplishments in life were the birth of her daughter, Tracy and going back to school later in life and receiving her GED. Family was the most important thing to Shirley – she loved each one of them dearly. She was generous, kind, and will always be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother. She was a dedicated Vikings Fan and dreamed of seeing them win a super bowl. She also volunteered at St. Vincent’s and the Great Plains Food Bank, both in Fargo Shirley is survived by her daughter, Tracy (Kurt) Dux of West Fargo, ND; her grandchildren – Tasha (Jesse) Vrem of Moorhead, MN; and Shawn (Jessie) Aker of Barnesville, MN; her great-grandchildren – Jaykob Guest, Katie Vrem, Trysten Nystuen, and Lily Nystuen. Also surviving are her siblings – Bernadette (Roger) Weiss of Fargo; James (Butch) Simonson of Fargo; and Bernard (Deb) Simonson of Frazee, MN; and several nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Jeff Upton; her daughter, Ruth Upton; her ten siblings; and her beloved cat, Coke.