Shirley J. (Giere) TeBrake

Shirley J. TeBrake, age 82 of Sauk Rapids, formerly Brooten, died Sunday, February 24, 2019 at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Sauk Rapids, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 15th at the Brooten Community Church in Brooten with Pastor Randy Whitehead officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, March 14th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Brooten and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Bethany Cemetery in Brooten. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Brooten. 

Shirley Joan TeBrake the daughter of Maurice and Beatrice (Johnson) Giere was born May 21, 1936 in Hawley, Minnesota. She grew up in Moorhead, Minnesota and was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. She attended school in Moorhead and graduated from Moorhead High School. Shirley furthered her education at Concordia College where she graduated with a degree in Education.

On June 16, 1961, Shirley was united in marriage to James “Jim” TeBrake at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. The couple made their home in Brooten where they worked and raised their three children: Cheryl, David and Mary. Shirley was employed at various businesses in Brooten: from a business teacher at Brooten High School, the bookkeeper at the Brooten Creamery and Bohmer Insurance along with H & R Block and Bonanza Valley Lumber. She worked while also raising her family and playing the piano and organ for her church, Brooten Community Church.

Shirley was active with the Brooten Food Shelf, the Red Hat Ladies and ladies aid at church. She enjoyed baking and especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Shirley will be remembered for her strong faith in the Lord and her musical talents, playing the piano and organ for over 50 years at church. She died February 24, 2019 at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.

Shirley is survived by her children: Cheryl (Mark) Winter of Oakdale, MN, David (Amy) TeBrake of Sauk Rapids, and Mary (John) Carlson of St. Joseph, MN; 6 grandchildren: Kylie (Bryce) Stephany, Alex Winter, Kirby (Morgan) TeBrake, Ethan Carlson, Eric Winter and Dylan TeBrake; 1 great-granddaughter, Zoey Stephany; sisters: Janeal (Steve) Knox and Sherry (Monty) Mulvaney; brother, Dan (Nancy) Giere; brother-in-law, David Janssen; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Beatrice Giere; her husband Jim in 2006; and sisters, Celeste Whitehead and Luann Janssen.  

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