Shirley Elizabeth Carlson

Shirley was born April 12, 1928, in Salida, Colorado, to Harry and Gertrude Weathers. She had one younger sister, Jean. She attended Cathedral School for 12 years and graduated in 1946. When Shirley was 15, she started working at The Denver Dry Goods as a cashier and model. She attended Colorado University and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She graduated from CU in 1950, and taught elementary school before and after she was married.

She met Lee in 1947 while he was serving in the Army. They courted for five long years, during which they learned how to square dance. It became their combined passion and their team earned the title of National Square Dance Champion. After some encouragement from Shirley, Lee proposed and they were married on June 2, 1951, at her parent's house. They purchased a small home on 100th & York Street in Thornton.

Shirley and Lee swiftly found themselves in both the dairy and the baby business. They soon had 140 cows and a herd of children and the hope of a monthly check. Although Lee learned quickly that dairy farming was not the way he wanted to earn a living, Shirley loved the cows and the lifestyle they provided. It was the foundation upon which she parented: hard work, discipline, obedience, and teamwork. She was equally involved with Lee when he sold the cows and went into the real estate business.

In 1957 Shirley was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was sealed to Lee and their first 5 children in the Salt Lake City Temple on November 2, 1959.

Her ability to love unconditionally and counsel wisely enabled Shirley to bless the lives of hundreds of young women. Through LDS Family Services, she matched babies with adoptive families. She camped, danced, crafted, quilted, cooked, and decorated. She wept with, listened to, loved, and served the youth of the church well into her 80s. Shirley loved the temple and served in the Denver Temple Presidency as Assistant to the Matron and Matron from 2001 to 2004.

Lee and Shirley traveled the world with beloved friends and took each of their grandchildren on a grand adventure when they turned 12 years old. She was known as an expert bleacher-sitter and loved watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participate in whatever they were doing. She seldom missed a BYU game of any kind. Never one to miss out on an opportunity to gather, over the years she participated in multiple bowling leagues, dinner groups, and canasta. Lunch out with friends and family was a near-daily activity until the very end.

She loved to surround herself with beautiful things. She had impeccable taste in fashion, jewelry, and decorating. Come spring, Shirley loved to take her golf cart out to tend to her yard and flowers. But even more than new clothes, Shirley loved people and made it a point to learn the details. She could easily recall names, dates, relationships, and locations from her past 94 years. She made everyone she met feel as if they were her favorite. This ability to love was her superpower.

Shirley is survived by her children: Craig (Kit), Clarke (JoEllen), Lisa Thornton, Clay (Jeanie), Scott (Lisa), Linnea (Steven) Young, and Kent (Heidi); 33 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Lee, her sister Jean Flor, daughter-in-law Joanie Shaefer, great-granddaughter Lilia Shafenberg and son-in-law Craig Thornton.

● In lieu of flowers, Shirley would want you to call a friend, send a note, or take someone to lunch.

A visitation will occur Monday, March 6, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 100 Malley Drive, Northglenn, CO 80233. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM. Graveside services at Olinger Highland Cemetery, 10201 Grant Street in Thornton.

Zoom Meeting Details

https://zoom.us/j/93550626783?pwd=YnZQWGJ4OXhqeGlXWlpDSkE4YXZOUT09" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://zoom.us/j/93550626783?pwd=YnZQWGJ4OXhqeGlXWlpDSkE4YXZOUT09 (https://zoom.us/j/93550626783?pwd=YnZQWGJ4OXhqeGlXWlpDSkE4YXZOUT09)

Meeting ID: 935 5062 6783

Passcode: Shirley

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Carlson family.