Shirley Jean Edminster

Shirley Jean Edminster passed away peacefully on February 16, 2022 in Bellingham, WA, with both of her daughters by her side. She was born on April 26, 1934 to Arthur and Helen (Haas) Plotz in Winnebago County, WI. Her younger brother, Robert, was born 5 years later and they were raised on a 60-acre dairy farm in Omro. They went to country school where all the grades were in one room. She liked to tell us how she remembers being so excited to get to high school to meet more kids her age, especially the boys! She loved their many farm animals, her most loved were her collie, Fondy, and her horse, Rex. She was a beautiful piano player and when she got to high school played the saxophone in the marching band. Shirley met the love of her life, Harold, while in high school. He joined the service in 1952 and they couldn’t bear to be apart. Shirley’s mother took her to Texas for a supervised visit and the two lovebirds eloped one afternoon! They were happily married for 65 years! In 1964 they welcomed their first daughter, Amy, and in 1966 they welcomed their second daughter, Kay. In 1973 they relocated to Kirkland, WA for Harold’s job with Mercury Marine. While in Kirkland, Shirley worked as a Fiscal Officer for King County Housing Authority for over 20 years. In 1996 they relocated to Everson, WA to be closer to their two daughters and grandchildren. Harold and Shirley were fortunate to enjoy over 25 years of retirement together. They spent a lot of their time traveling around the US in their RV and spent many winters in Arizona. Both Harold and Shirley loved attending the various activities that their 4 grandchildren were involved in over the years. Shirley also loved to sew, whether it was pajamas at Christmas for the grandkids, hemming prom dresses for the granddaughters, or making potholders to give to friends and family. She also loved to bake and decorate cakes and cookies. Shirley was always trying new recipes and always made sure to have some cookies in the freezer for when guests would come visit. Her daughters & granddaughters also learned of her crazy quick decorating skills at their annual Christmas cookie decorating party. Shirley lived a very full and wonderful life always having a positive attitude, infectious laugh and so much love for her family. Shirley is preceded in death by her father, mother, and brother. She is also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Harold, in 2017, whom she never stopped missing. She is survived by her two daughters, Amy (Joe) and Kay (John), four grandchildren, Ryan (Kori), Jessica (Jason), Laura (Ethan), and Erin (Dylan), as well as three great-grandsons, Lucas, Lane and Cooper. Shirley will be laid to rest at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale, Washington. To share your memories, please visit Shirley’s online guestbook.