It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley Grace Huber, who left this life on March 16, 2025, the morning after her 80th birthday.

Shirley was born on March 15, 1945, in Turtleford, Saskatchewan, to Henry and Dorothy de Graaf. She was the second youngest child in a family of 9 children.

Shirley met and married the love of her life Fred in 1964, and they were happily married for 60 years. They loved each other through thick and thin, and he remained by her side until her final breath. From raising 4 kids on a small farm in rural Saskatchewan to starting a successful arborist business in North Battleford in their 50’s, to taking turns caring for each other as they aged, Fred and Shirley worked and succeeded as a team.

Shirley loved her kids Mike, Pat, Melaney and Tim, deeply and unconditionally. She made certain they always knew it through both her words and actions. There was never a phone call that didn’t end with the words “I love you.” From tending to minor injuries and illness when the kids were young, to helping with schoolwork as they grew, to providing baking and parenting tips to her adult children, as a mother, Shirley was always present, and was always a strong supporter, and advocate when needed. Shirley taught her kids about hard work, accountability, compassion and empathy. As her kids grew, there was never a development in their lives that she was not interested in hearing about. She took great joy in all their achievements, both big and small.

Among the biggest developments in Shirley’s life was the addition of 8 grandchildren. She showed them the same deep and unconditional love she showed their parents. She loved spending time with them and would beam whenever she saw them. Each of their achievements became her own. In recent years, Shirley became a great-grandmother to 4 and her love expanded further. She was so proud of the family that she and Fred had built.

As an individual, Shirley carried herself with quiet dignity, and true to her middle name, grace. She was soft-spoken and never sought to be the center of attention, but she loved to talk, and she loved to laugh, often laughing so hard she cried.

As her kids grew older Shirley re-entered the workforce after obtaining a Business Administration Diploma from the University of Saskatchewan. This led her to a career in income tax preparation, and later, she worked in hospital records while simultaneously applying her business acumen to the successful business that she and Fred had made.

Shirley was a voracious reader her entire life. Reading was, by far, her favorite pastime, alongside word games like Scrabble and Wordle. The Toronto Blue Jays were her team. She also loved to travel with family and made trips to Hawaii, California, Florida, Arizona, Oregon, Prince Edward Island and Vancouver Island. Traveling was good, but travelling with family was best.

Shirley will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her family will remember her always.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Fred, and their loving children: Pat (wife, Carla) and their daughter, Mya (partner, Graham); Melaney Bossaer (husband, Keith Bossaer) and their daughters: Tia McLaren (husband, Patrick McLaren and their son, Atticus), Chantal Stynsky (husband, Ryan Stynsky), and Jolie; and Tim (wife, Katrina) and their sons, Blake and Wyatt; and by the children of Mike (predeceased), Gage (partner, Kirsten and Gage’s daughter, Alexis) and Colton (wife, Tori and their daughter, Brynn and son, Barrett) and Carolyn. Shirley is also survived by her siblings: Henry (wife, Marlene), Dorothy (husband, Larry) and Linda (husband, Mel); her brother-in-law, Dale and many nieces and nephews.

Shirley’s immediate family will hold a private interment at a later date.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Battleford’s Union Hospital for providing Shirley with excellent and compassionate care in the final weeks of her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation in Shirley’s honor.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium – Larissa Wack Apprentice Funeral Director.

• Date : 2025-03-18
• Location : North Battleford, SK