Shirley VanBlarcom

Shirley J. VanBlarcom, 83, of Brainerd died on Saturday, March 17, 2013 at Essentia Health/St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainer, MN. Services for Shirley will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baxter, MN with Pastor Tom Barthel officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.

Shirley was born on September 25, 1929 in Sapulpa, OK to Otis and Velma (Pritchett) Ritchie. She was united into marriage to John L. Murray. They were married for 27 years before John died of cancer. She was then married to James Fortier for 20 years who also died of cancer. For the last 15 years she was married to Edward John VanBlarcom on September 16, 1995. She enjoyed gardening, bowling and traveling. Shirley loved singing, dancing, bird watching, and nature. She knew the love of Jesus, and we look forward to seeing her and all that died in Christ.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Edward; daughter, Donna (James) Leahy; step-children, Sandra Webster, Dale VanBlarcom, Susanne Christian, and Ben VanBlarcom; eleven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Edward, and sister, Melvina. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Shirley VanBlarcom memorial at Bremer Bank in Brainerd, Minnesota.