Shirley Jean Stanger Berrett

Shirley Jean Stanger Berrett, our loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away on December 27, 2024, at her home in Pleasant Grove, Utah. She was surrounded by many loved ones as she returned to her Father in Heaven. We are sure it was the reunion she had longed for.

Shirley was born on September 28, 1932, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was the first child born to Albert George and Phyllis Shirley Stanger. Her name held great meaning – Shirley, her mother’s maiden name and surname of her grandfather, and Jean, after her favorite Uncle Gene. She attended Eastside and Hawthorne Elementary Schools, O E Bell Junior High, and Idaho Falls High School. She was involved in many clubs and thought high school was very exciting!

She continued her education at the University of Utah, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a minor in History. She made many lifelong friends during her college days. She was very involved in her sorority and volunteered in many different organizations. Upon graduating, she taught school for one year in California, before spending the next six months traveling around Europe and the British Isles, which was a fabulous and memorable time of her life. After teaching for another year in Salt Lake City, she began working as a service representative at Ma Bell. That ended up being a great decision, as she met Russell Berrett, who worked in the sales department. On New Year’s Eve 1956, they were engaged and were married in May of 1957 in the Idaho Falls Temple.

In 1958, they moved to Idaho Falls, where Russ began running the farms for Shirley’s dad. Shirley began teaching again and would do so, on and off, as their three daughters came into their lives. Shirley loved shopping for and spoiling these three girls. She created many memories for her family. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she always did it up right! Vacations to fun places and trips to the cabin were her specialty!

Shirley was committed to serving those around her. She volunteered in many capacities, such as The Christmas Festival, Developmental Workshop Board, Transition Living Center Board, and hospital volunteer. She loved playing tennis and golf, and traveled with her golfing friends to many locations to enjoy other courses. She served as the president of the Women’s Golf Association.

Shirley was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved her Savior and had a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. She gave many hours of service in the Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society organizations. Service was her life – she was always looking for opportunities to help others. She could always be found making cinnamon rolls and delivering them around the neighborhood and helping people with genealogy. She was so grateful for the opportunities and blessings to serve and grow with those around her.

In 2018, Russ and Shirley moved to Bountiful to Creekside Retirement Center and loved living there. They were able to participate in many family activities and spend time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Russ passed away in 2020, and in 2023, Shirley moved to Pleasant Grove to live with her daughter.

Shirley is survived by her three daughters, Kirsten (Lloyd) Hardcastle of Bountiful, UT, Wendy Berrett of Idaho Falls, and Lisa (Neal) Watters of Pleasant Grove, UT; her 14 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russ, her parents, and her two brothers, Richard and John Stanger.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the many hours of service rendered to them by Healthwatch Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at Wood Funeral Home East Side (963 S. Ammon Rd, Ammon, ID.) Visitations will be held Monday, December 30, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Both visitations will be held at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.

Services will be broadcast live on Shirley’s obituary page at www.woodfuneralhome.com.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.