Shirley Jean Stanger

Shirley Stanger, devoted wife and loving mother, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 21st, 2015 in Grants Pass, Oregon. Services will be held Tuesday, December 29th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building on 747 NE Savage Street in Grants Pass, starting with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment at Hillcrest Cemetery at 1:00.

She is survived by her husband, Davis J. Stanger, also of Grants Pass. This year, Davis and Shirley celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. She is also survived by four children: Davis Stanger, of Beaverton Oregon, Serena Stanger of Grants Pass, Julie Lovin of Tualatin, Oregon, and James Stanger of Olympia, Washington. Her beloved daughter, Paula Kay Stanger, passed away in 1961. She and Dave have 16 grand children and 8 great grand children, with two more great grand children on the way.

Born on November 5th 1930 as an only child to James Claude Reid and Eulah Faye Blakely Reid in Des Moines Iowa, Shirley grew up in Iowa, Oregon, and Alaska. She told many tales of what it was like to live as a teen in Alaska during World War II, as well as traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest. She had many adventures, including being able to meet Clark Gable, Olivia De Havilland, and Joe Louis. But these adventures have nothing on the one she would have when she returned to Grants Pass where she would live the rest of her life.

After graduating from Grants Pass High in 1948, Shirley met her greatest adventure, Davis Stanger, and married him on August 6th, 1950. They have lived in Grants Pass ever since. She was active in her church and community. She was a member of the League of Women voters, and worked diligently as a Young Women’s leader and Women’s Relief Society President for the LDS church, among many other callings. A keen intellect, Shirley attended community college classes, and was an ardent genealogist. She spent hundreds of hours helping individuals trace their family heritage. This is just one example of her selfless service.

One of the many contributions Shirley made to those who knew her were her legendary Stanger Christmas breakfasts. Dozens of friends and family would arrive Christmas morning for Shirley’s signature blueberry muffins, scrambled eggs, and ham in cream sauce. One year, Shirley and Dave remembered serving over 45 dozen eggs to their guests. To this day, Shirley’s family members still hear stories about families who have started their own “Christmas Breakfast” tradition.

Her years of service and compassion will be remembered by her friends. She had a strong testimony of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and his Atonement. She was a master seamstress, and accomplished writer. Over the years, she and her fellow collaborators created lyrics, poetry, and sometimes even music for award-winning church roadshows that would bring the house down. Her creativity, exquisite taste, buoyant spirit, and penchant for hard work have left a lasting legacy for her friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Boy Scouts of America.