Shirley Ann Sanderson

Shirley Ann Sanderson, 94, of Northwood, North Dakota, died June 16, 2015 at the Northwood Deaconess Health Center. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 19, 2015 at 6:00p.m at Washington Lutheran Church, rural Northwood. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 6:00p.m at the church.

Shirley was born February 9th, 1921 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to Adolph and Emma Giese of rural Euclid, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at St Paul's Lutheran Church, rural Euclid. She graduated from Central High School, East Grand Forks. In 1943 Shirley earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Home Economics and in 1964 a Master's of Science degree, both from the University of North Dakota (UND). She also attended North Dakota State University (NDSU), San Diego State University and Colorado State University.

In October of 1943 Shirley married Otto Sanderson, who she met while teaching home economics in Minnesota. They made their home in rural Northwood. While Otto farmed and served as a conservationist for the Department of Agriculture, Shirley taught high school home economics and later became a professor of home economics at UND. She also served briefly as NDSU's supervisor of home economics student teachers. Simultaneously they raised three children: Jane, John, and Mary. Shirley was a member of Delta Zeta social sorority, Phi Upsilon Omicron Home Economics honorary; Pi Lambda Theta Women's Education Honorary Society, North Dakota Home Economics Association; and the Advisory Council of College Teachers of Textiles and Clothing, Central Region. In her retirement, Shirley became a skillful china painter and enjoyed a following of collectors.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother Boyd Giese, and sister Joan Guerard. Her survivors include siblings Conrad Giese and Meryl Barry; children Jane Belanus (Terry), Dr. John Sanderson (Mary), Mary Gravdahl (Charles); grandchildren Matthew Belanus (Sarah), Mary Belanus, Mark Sanderson, Soren Sanderson, and Peter Gravdahl; and great-grandchildren Samuel and Mae Belanus.

Memorials are preferred to the Northwood Food Bank and Faith in Action through Washington Lutheran Church.