Peacefully and surrounded by her family, Shirley Marlene Hjelmeland passed away on January 5, 2026, at the age of 87. Shirley is survived by her four children; Terry (Becky); Zane (Leila); Brenda Howe; Deb (Dallas) Schultz; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; sister; Phyllis Sawley, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

 Shirley was born on September 16, 1938, in Bentley, Alberta, to James Freeman Jr. and Bessie Freeman (Ellsworth). Throughout Shirley’s life family was always important to her, anytime her siblings and their families could get together, they did. Shirley worked at Woolworths in Red Deer where she met her two best friends for many years to come, Ethel Kondre and Daisy Halvorsen, if one went somewhere the other two weren’t far behind. Shirley then went to work at Smith and Connor’s Bits, where she met her husband Robert (Bob) Leonard Hjelmeland; and they married on April 20, 1957. They lived mainly in Red Deer where they raised 4 children. Shirley stayed home while all the kids were growing up. When the kids were older, she started working as a Rehab Worker at Michener Centre in Red Deer, where she worked for 30 years. From there she went to work in Group Homes for Catholic Social Services. She loved baking bread and just about anything you could think of. Shirley had numerous hobbies from ceramics, paper tole, needlepoint, sewing, and gardening. In her later years Shirley became an avid reader, sometimes staying up till 3 am to finish a book. Shirley always had a great interest in the Royal Family, collecting numerous souvenirs over the years. 

Shirley’s years at the Sylvan Lake Lodge and Bethany Sylvan Lake, which was her final residence, where she enjoyed sewing, crafts, country and gospel music, watching curling and the Blue Jays on tv. Shirley’s friends from the Bethany Centre best described her as being tough, honest, and never afraid to speak the truth. She carried a strong spirit, a sharp sense of who she was and the authenticity into every space she entered. You always knew where you stood with Shirley, and that straightforwardness was part of what made her so memorable and respected. Shirley had a caring heart, and her soft spot would show through once you got to know her. She had a way of offering excellent advice-always honest, always practical, and often paired with a few well-earned life lessons. Those moments will be cherished by many family members, staff, residents and friends who were lucky enough to share with her. Shirley loved her family above all. She was devoted to her sons and daughters, her many grandchildren, and her great children, who meant the world to her and were a constant source of pride and joy. She would try to get to as many activities that either the grandchildren or great grandchildren were involved in. 

She was predeceased by her husband Bob; father; James Freeman Jr., mother; Bessie; stepfather; James McKay; half-sister; Beverly; all her brothers and spouses; Delbert, Marie & Andy Nyman, Allen & Terri, Floyd & Diane, Dennis & Peggy, brother in-law; Alfred Sawley, son-in-law; Lee Howe, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, all of Bob’s siblings, and many very close friends. 

 A Memorial Service Celebrating Shirley’s Life will be held at the Alliance Community Church, 4404-47 Avenue, Sylvan Lake, AB on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 1:00pm. 

To send condolences and view Shirley’s page please visit www.reddeerfuneralhome.com. 

Memorial donations in Shirley’s name may be made online at  https://bethanycarefoundation.com/ or mailed or dropped off here at the site 4700-47 Ave, Sylvan Lake, AB T4S 2M3, or Sylvan Lake Community Partners Assoc. at https://www.sylvanlakecommunitypartners.ca/ then click on Donate online or mailed or dropped off at the office A5, 5043-50A St.,  Sylvan Lake, AB T4S 1R1 

• Date : 2026-01-05
• Location : Red Deer Funeral Home