Shirley Brunsdale
December 10, 1934 ~ January 4, 2023
Shirley Diane (Fugleberg) Brunsdale, 88, entered her eternal resting place on January 4, 2023, with her devoted husband, William, by her side. Funeral services will be Boulger Funeral Home on Thursday, January 12th at 3:00 PM with visitation beginning at 2:00.
Shirley was born on December 10, 1934, in Mayville, ND to Clarence and Selma (Severson) Fugleberg. She was confirmed at Mayville Lutheran Church in 1949 and graduated from Mayville High School in 1952. She graduated with a 4-year teaching degree in Elementary Education and English from Mayville State College in 1955. Shirley was recruited by the Fargo Public Schools to help open Lewis and Clark Elementary in the fall of 1955, teaching there for 2 years. When she and Bill married, the Fargo Schools did not employ married couples at that point; they then ventured into Minnesota to teach. They taught at Mahnomen, MN from Fall of 1957 until their retirement in 1991. During that time, Shirley taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Additionally, she coached girls’ tennis at Mahnomen High School winning regional championships in 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, and 1988.
Shirley met the love of her life, William, in 1st grade. They were lifelong partners in many adventures. Shirley and William (Bill) married at Mayville Lutheran Church June 17, 1956. They moved to Mahnomen in 1957 and created a loving home to bring their children, Karen and Barbara, into. They were devoted parents following their children’s activities in school and church. Education was important to Shirley and Bill, making sure their “girls” could attend college and beyond. They also considered creating family memories very important through travel, taking the family on vacations to the East Coast, national parks, Hawaii, and Europe.
Shirley and Bill truly enjoyed a long and fun-filled retirement. They traveled extensively to Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, and throughout the United States. They enjoyed 26 wonderful years at their home in Arizona, as well as their family lake home in Park Rapids, MN.
Grateful to have shared her life is her husband, William, Fargo; daughters, Karen (Rodney) Hardie of Fargo, ND, and Barbara (John) Wells of Hilliard, Ohio; grandchildren: Ilissa, Evan, and Elizabeth Hardie of Fargo, ND; John Jr, Jacob, Jared Wells of Hilliard, Ohio and Yasmine Wells of Fargo, ND. Brother: Lyle (Charley Ann) Fugleberg of Winter Park, FL; Nephews and nieces: Carol Johnson of Denver, CO, Beth Fugleberg (Ron Qual) of Jamestown, ND, John (Shawn) Fugleberg, of Woodbury, MN, Jeffrey Fugleberg (Ryun Brunson) of Westbury (Long Island), NY, Leslie Lynch of Winter Park, FL, Kerry Barr of Maitland, FL, Doug (Carol) Fugleberg of Tampa, FL, Frederick (Lori) Coleman of Phoenix, AZ, and Mark (Laurie) Coleman, of Erskine, MN.
Preceding Shirley in death are her parents and her brother, Marlan.
Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church in Fargo.
Services
Funeral Service - Thursday: January 12, 2023 3:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
7012376441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Visitation - Thursday: January 12, 2023 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
7012376441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
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What a wonderful person in Mrs. Brunsdale! She was my 4th grade teacher and such a good person. My parents had a local mom & pop restaurant in Mahnomen which the Brunsdale’s dined every Thursday night! My mom knew Shirley liked her strawberry pie and always saved a piece of pie for her whenever the strawberries were in season. Or, was it for Bill? 😳. Nevertheless, she & Bill brought “class” to our Thursday’s nights and both my parents so enjoyed them during the years! So when I read that the Fargo Schools didn’t hire married couples back in the days… well, it was there loss and Mahnomen’s gain. Often, my classmates talk about growing up in Mahnomen back in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s! We were lucky to have teachers like Shirley and Bill plus all the other teammates! Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Brunsdale for making a difference in our school and in our community. I am sorry for the family’s loss but I am so thankful we had people like the Brunsdale’s within our school and our community! God Bless the Brunsdale Family!
We are so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing! 😥 Your wife and mother was such an inspiration to us as a teacher and tennis coach!! Winning all those tournaments were the best! Remember them well! ❤️ Please know that we are keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time! 🙏 God bless!
Bernie and Jody
My sympathy on the loss of Shirley.She was one of my favorite teachers at Mahnomen.She made English class fun and easy to be in ! Alice Mrkvicka Lisburg,class of 73.
We are holding you close to our hearts. Shirley was the epitome of class, graciousness and kindness. May you be comforted by the memories of her loving heart and smile. She is now in the comfort of Jesus. We will see you on Thursday where we celebrate a most wonderful lady.
Mrs. Brunsdale was the librarian at Mahnomen High School and my tennis coach along with her husband and Mr Workman. While she was passionate about developing great tennis players, of equal importance was helping each of us develop our strengths, confidence and talents. She had impeccable taste, class and always seemed to have a twinkle in her eyes. My thoughts and prayers to Bill, Barb, Karen and families.
Shirley was our delightful next-door neighbor in Arizona. No matter what, she always stayed positive. She loved her students and would relate many of her amazing adventures with them. The breakfasts she and William would prepare for the neighbors were quite a culinary delight. I will miss going out to eat breakfast with her. Shirley was fearless, even when facing a rattlesnake. William, Karen, Barbara and families, we are so sorry for your loss.
Love to all.
Mrs. Brunsdale was such a wonderful person and had a positive impact on so many people. She was one of the many treasures in the Mahnomen School system. I am grateful to have known her and to have had her as a coach and role model. She brought intelligence, grace, and kindness to this world. My thoughts go to all her family and friends- she will be missed.
I met Shirley in our cul-de-sac in AZ. She was the most upbeat person I ever met. She and Bill were/are good neighbors and bring happiness to everything. I’m sorry for Shirley’s passing. She had so many stories to pass on and she was good at telling them.
I was Bills personal trainer at anytime fitness in Tucson. Az. Shirley would come in with Bill and wait until his session was over! She was such a pure delight! Gave the best hugs, had the best dance moves and was just such a joy to be around! I had the pleasure of enjoying their company for breakfast a few times as well! They both made me feel like family in the short time I had with them! The love and respect had for each other was very evident!
Shirley loved her family and I really enjoyed hearing about them all!