Mrs. Shirley Evelyn (Geall) Welk

Shirley Evelyn (nee Geall) Welk was born on June 21, 1937, in Wapella, and passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025 in her home at Oliver Lodge. She was surrounded by family and friends during her final days. Shirley is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Len Welk. She is survived by her sisters Hazel Chantler and Joyce (Tony) Hauck; her sister-in-law Adeline Fossey; her children Brad Welk, Kellie (Jeff Slade) Welk, Lyle (Cathy Olson) Welk, Dwain Welk; her grandchildren Nolan Luckett, Shawn Luckett, Alina Luckett; and Brian (Chelene) Fehr, Brad (Shandel) Fehr; great grandchildren Logan, Nevaeh, Ella, Blake and Quinn; and many nieces and nephews.

At 17 months of age, she moved from Wapella to Nipawin. She attended Cherry Ridge School up to grade 5 and lived on the family farm. She confided, "We were poor as church mice, but happy." Shirley completed her education (Grade 12 plus one year of business school) while living in Nipawin. Upon graduation, she moved to Tisdale and worked for the school unit office.

In 1955, she met and married her husband, Len. In 1956, she moved to Saskatoon, and their first son, Brad, was born the same year. Their second son, Lyle, was born in 1957. She tried working from home but was unhappy being away from her sons. In 1958, her family moved to Gladmer Park, where her daughter, Kellie, was born in 1960. In 1965, they moved to their new home, which was designed and built by Len and family; and their fourth child, Dwain, was born in 1965.

Shirley loved family above all, but also enjoyed camping, golfing, skiing and singing and dancing. The annual camping trips, in particular, were a great source of joy and mischief, which over the years included innumerable friends and family. She was very proud of her 27 years working for Bit Service, where she developed many close and enduring friendships.

Shirley was a member of the Nutana Legion and the German Concordia Club and was chairperson for the Professional Secretaries International. Her love of singing was joyfully expressed through her 23 years with the Orpheus 60 Chorus.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on November 8, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Mourning Glory - Acadia McKague's Funeral Chapel, located at 915 Acadia Drive.

Following the service, a reception will take place at the same location from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.