Shirley was born to Danish parents, who had both immigrated to USA, Arthur Emil and Mayme Johanna Kure who in 1924 decided to look for land in Alberta and came by train from Henry Illinois, USA with their two small boys, Russel and Elmer. Art, with his love for nature and farming, worked hard and broke the land and settled on a farm they named “Spruce Lawn Farm” near Dickson, Alberta. In those years, Art and Mayme built up a beautiful farm and had two more children, Gordon and Shirley. Shirley always liked to reminisce of her childhood years and how much she loved her brothers. She so often told stories of those times when her brothers taught her to ride a bike and a horse – the family would ride to school and to church and had good friends and neighbors. Together, they built up a beautiful farm. In the next decade Shirley’s mother Mayme, became ill which continued for some years and she passed away in 1957. Shirley took over the housekeeping and they carried on. But the farm became too much, and help was hard to get. In 1958, Shirley and her dad bought 4 acres south of Dickson which was the old dormitory there. They named this place, “Wild Wood Acres”. They made a great garden and showcase yard with a comfortable home. There they were self-sustainable, with a cow to milk, a few pigs and chickens etc – Shirley was a thrifty homemaker tending to her garden and enjoyed baking and making jams, canning and utilizing all that they grew and produced. She enjoyed looking after her dad all those years – she was the best caregiver he could have ever had and they were a team. Shirley also had some very good friends, neighbors and church family at Dickson Bethany Lutheran who she loved dearly. Her Christian faith in God was very important to her. After some years life at Wildwood Manor became too much to keep up, so she and her dad decided to put it up for sale and look for a nice location and house in Innisfail where in July 1976 they moved. They enjoyed making so many friends, had good neighbors and there never was a dull moment – with friends and family coming and going every day for coffee or a meal. Shirley became involved with the Innisfail Hospital Auxiliary. With that in mind, when she was a young girl in school, her teacher Mrs. Norman, spent time with her after Shirley’s mom died teaching her to knit and crochet. Shirley was so thankful for that and has been blessing people, her church and hospital auxiliary fundraisers over the many years with her talent to make slippers, baby blankets etc. Shirley also made sure every family member and baby or friend or neighbor had received one of her knitted creations. She was awarded for her long-standing service with The Hospital Auxiliary.
Shirley took extraordinary care of her dad all those years until he died in January 1988. From there Shirley started yet another chapter of her life selling her Innisfail home and moved into Poplar Grove. She downsized but it never stopped her from sharing her gifts of hospitality with her good friends and family and giving away her knitted creations. Shirley always had a smile for us – and a good listening ear – never complaining or judging anyone, always remembering everyone with a Christmas or birthday card. She Liked a good conversation and growing tomatoes and of course, her flowers, specifically African violets. In 2011 Shirley took a fall and spent some time healing of her hip – but it was then that she reluctantly said goodbye to some of her independence and moved on into the Sunset Manor where she made the best of it – in small quarters – still growing her violets and keeping on with her knitting. She was a kind and patient resident at the Manor – and kept up with her Innisfail Peace Lutheran Church and hospital auxiliary and lifelong friends.
Thank you to all her friends and families for love and visits over the years – This made living at the Manor extra enjoyable. Shirley loved all her friends and family – you all know who you are.
Shirley was predeceased by her parents, and brothers Russel (wife Monica), Elmer (wife Helga) and Gordon, also nephew Bill Kure, and niece Diana Kure.
Leaving to mourn Shirley’s passing are her many nieces and nephews, Colin (Gerty) and family, Janie Loney and family, Michele Johannson (Ike) and family, Sonja Kure and family of Calgary, Bonnie Kure and sons of BC, Kathy (Vern)Burkholder and family of Calgary, Ron Kure and family of BC, Darrell Kure and family of BC, Ken (Shelly) Kure and family of Spruce View, Brian Kure and family of Red Deer, Beatrice Kure and family of Bowden. As well as her many wonderful friends throughout her years.
Shirley would be so very grateful for those that truly cared for her, and would want to acknowledge Dr. Barker for his personable house call visits during her stay at Sunset and for the caregivers that especially took extra TLC time to be with her during this Covid isolation. The last 8 months certainly have not been kind to our seniors however Shirley was a real trooper nevertheless. Memorial Tributes in Shirley’s honor may be directed to the Danish Canadian National Museum Building Fund. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd. 4415 – 49 Street Innisfail, Alberta Phone: 403.227.0006 Fax: 403.227.6437

• Date : 2020-11-13
• Location : www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com - Innisfail