To view the flowers from Shirley’s service, click here: Shirley Smith Flowers
Shirley Smith, 84, Minot formerly of Norwich and Bismarck, ND died Tuesday, November 22, 2022, in her daughter’s home.
Shirley Marie Smith was born on July 28th, 1938, to Roy and Manda (Harstad) Ofsthun on their family farmstead near Norwich, ND. The family later moved to Minot, where Shirley attended and graduated from Minot High School with the class of 1956.
During her early years, Shirley worked at Newberry’s, Judge Halvorson’s office at the courthouse in Minot, Minot Lumber, and General Trading. She was a long-time member of Royal Neighbors and did book work for many years.
Shirley met the love of her life, Robert (Bob), in Minot. They were married on July 6, 1957 at Bethany Lutheran Church. Bob and Shirley grew their family further by giving birth to daughter, Pam. As a family, they believed in working hard and playing even harder together.
Shirley and Bob moved to Bismarck in 1993, where Shirley worked at the Bismarck Library as a librarian, until joining the administration of the Workman’s Compensation Office. Shirley retired in 2008 at the age of 70. Her husband Bob passed away in 2017.
Shirley was always very sentimental, as she saved anything that had meaning to her. She shared her husband’s interests in snowmobiling, four-wheeling, NASCAR Racing, and spending time at the lake. Shirley had a special love for gardening and planting flowers, albeit with a keystone in her hand! She will be remembered most for her love and dedication to her family.
Shirley is survived by her daughter Pam (Tom) Leonard of Minot; granddaughter Mindy (fiancé Justin Wright) Weisse; grandson Don Leonard; great-grandsons Payton Weisse and Elijah Wright and great-granddaughters Kailyn Weisse, Jahnilyn Wright, Adley Leonard, and Aubryn Leonard; brother Duane Ofsthun of Minot; sister-in-law Lucy Ofsthun of Minot; brother-in-law Ron (Illa) Smith of Fargo. Numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Manda Ofsthun; husband Robert Smith and brother Marlo Ofsthun.
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2022, starting at Bethany Lutheran church in Minot, ND. To view a livestream of the service or to share memories and condolences access her obituary page at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com
Visitation: Monday, November 28, 2022, at Thomas Family Funeral Home in Minot, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Memorials are preferred to organizations dedicated to the fight against COPD.
