Shirley Mae Mckay

Shirley's Memorial Service will be livestreamed here: https://vimeo.com/event/3810832

Shirley Mae McKay, 94, Fargo, ND, died Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at St. Catherine's South.

Shirley was born April 12, 1929, on the family farm near Dazey, ND to Otto and Evelyn (Hagglund) Rebhahn. She attended Lake Township school in Barnes County and later Dazey, McHenry, ND, Tacoma, WA, and Copperstown, ND, graduating from Cooperstown in 1947. She then attended beauty school in Grand Forks, ND. Shirley married Henry McKay in 1949 and divorcing in 1986. They lived in Oklahoma City and Sayre, OK before moving to Cooperstown. Following Henry's military discharge, they lived in Minneapolis while he attended school. After Henry finished his schooling, they moved back to Cooperstown where he got a job as a telegrapher with the Soo Line Railroad and Shirley helped her parents run the motel they built. After moving to Valley City, ND, their son was born in October 1955. Moving again to Enderlin and later Kenmare, ND, their daughter was born in October 1958.

After returning to Enderlin, Shirley and Henry started an insurance agency with Farmers Mutual Insurance. Shirley was very active in the business, as Henry was still working with the Soo Line. In 1962, the family moved to Fargo, ND when Henry was appointed district manager for American Family Insurance. Shirley continued to work with the insurance business and became involved with many community affairs. She taught Sunday School, became a 4-H leader, and a volunteer driver for the Red Cross. Shirley was the past president of LCW, Sertoma, Elkettes, Elkette Bowlers, and Shrine Hospital Auxiliary. The Shriners Children's Hospital was near and dear to her heart. Shirley was an active volunteer for many years. She enjoyed traveling, summers at the lake, and sewing. She also enjoyed watching Jeopardy with a martini every evening.

Shirley is survived by her son, Steven (Arleen) McKay, West Fargo, and daughter, Valerie (Jeff) Softing, Fargo; grandchildren, Eric (April Williams) Deyle, Patrick (Malloree) Deyle, Rachael Deyle, Alexander McKay, Michael Softing, Greg (Megan) Softing; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Evelyn Rebhahn.