Shirley Shafer

Shirley Rae Shafer, 64, Fargo, ND passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at Essentia Health in Fargo.  She was born on June 30, 1950 in Inkster, ND to Harvey and Dorothy (Durkin) Lien.  She grew up in Fargo and graduated from Shanley High School.  Shirley then attended Aakers Business College. 

After college, Shirley entered the workforce and began her long career with the Federal Government.  She worked at the Nekoma Missile Base in Langdon, before transferring to the Seattle area.  Shirley was then employed as an accounting tech at the Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, WA, where she met her husband, Al.  They were united in marriage on June 7, 1980 in Poulsbo, WA.  The couple then moved around the world living in Louisiana, Germany, and Kentucky, finally settling in North Dakota in 1988.  Shirley then began her employment at the VA Hospital where she worked until retiring due to medical reasons.

Shirley served as the president of the local chapter of NARFE.  Her passion was genealogy, spending countless hours researching family history and tracing the family tree back to the 1700s.  She loved travelling country with her husband and dogs in their RV and spending time in their pontoon boat.  Shirley also enjoyed relaxing with a glass of wine or a cup of Irish coffee. 

She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Al; children, Zachary Shafer, Amanda (Donald) Ford, and Michael Shafer; father, Harvey; siblings, Ken (Sherry) Lien; and Dan (Denice) Lien; grandson, Russel Ford; and many other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy; sister-in-law, Shirley Lien.