Shirley Eliason

Shirley Elsamay Eliason, 84, died August 24, 2012, with her family by her side in Kirkland, Washington. A memorial service will be held Thursday August 30, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1024 Monroe Avenue, in Renton, Wash. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery with a reception at the church immediately after interment. She was born January 13, 1928 to Charles and Esther Woodbury in Valley City ND. Her grandfather Eli Algernon Weston was one of the founders of the town having donated half of the land for the city. Her father was a carpenter and he and her mother raised seven children in Valley City. Shirley graduated from the City College High School in Valley City. Shirley met and married James Clifford Eliason in 1946. They had three children, Sheila, Jeanette, and James Martin. They moved to Washington in 1952.Shirley worked as a grocery clerk, sold Avon, managed a market research office, and also managed the microfiche records office for an insurance company all while raising her three children. If you wanted something done well and thoroughly Shirley did it. Her energy and love enveloped everyone around her. She was an active member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday School Secretary and President of the congregation. Shirley was active in Al-Anon and was Intergroup Secretary in the Northwest for many years. She continued to be available for love and support to all who knew her to the end of her days.Shirley’s grandchildren were her joy. She took the phrase “Grandmothers are allowed” to heart with her first grandchild and ran it for all it was worth to the end. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life and her reward for being the world’s best mother. Mrs. Eliason is survived by her brother Roy, her daughter Jeanette Zimmerman and son James Martin Eliason his wife Donna, their children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband James Eliason and daughter, Sheila Greytak.

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