Shirley Irene Westergaard, 72, of Brandon passed away Monday, June 11, 2018 at Avera McKennan Hospital. Memorial services will begin at 1:00 PM Friday, June 15, 2018 at Faith United Church in Brandon. Burial will be in the Dell Rapids Cemetery.
Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids.
Shirley Irene was born December 14, 1945. She was adopted to parents Arthur and Evelyn (Samuelson) Wahlberg. She was raised and educated in Minneapolis, MN, graduating from Roosevelt High School. She received her Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Minnesota.
Shirley married Duane Westergaard at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis in 1970. The couple met at church while attending college. They lived in Minneapolis, California, Sioux Falls and finally in Brandon. She was a devoted wife and mother.
Shirley was a well-known professional piano teacher and was loved by her students. She was a faithful servant of God her entire life. She also liked to travel, often stopping to see family and friends. She never got tired of sightseeing and trying out new restaurants. Shirley will always be missed and loved by all who knew her.
Grateful for having shared her life are her four adopted children, Lisa Diaz, Sioux Falls, Chad Westergaard, Brandon, Sara Young, Sioux Falls and Mark Westergaard, Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren as well as many other relatives, friends and piano students. She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane; parents Arthur and Evelyn (Sammelson) Wahlberg and brother, Bruce Wahlberg.