Shirley D. Hoff, 99, of Grand Forks, ND passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Shirley Delores Burgess was born on April 6, 1921 in Detroit Lakes, MN the daughter of Amy (Webster) Burgess and George Webster. She grew up in Detroit Lakes and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School. She was artistic and liked creating dress designs. She studied home economics at North Dakota State University making life-long friends with her roommates. She moved to St. Paul, MN, where she was employed as a riveter on military planes during World War 11.

While employed with the Great Northern Railroad, she met Edward Hoff who was from Grand Forks. They married February 29, 1944. Edward Jr. was born in St. Paul, MN and Cheryl was born in Detroit Lakes. Working as a conductor and brakeman kept Edward away from home, so Shirley oversaw the building of their home in Grand Forks located near the University of North Dakota campus. Timothy and Debra were born in Grand Forks. Shirley stayed at home raising their children and occasionally working at Hoff's grocery.

In 1964, Edward passed away and Shirley attended Aaker's Business School and was employed with Lumber Dealers and The Grand Forks Senior Center, as she raised her children. She decided to finish her college degree and attended the University of North Dakota and received her BS in education. She was employed as a home maker with Grand Forks County until her retirement.

Shirley's many interests included art, knitting, sewing and dancing. However, playing cards was a favorite pastime. She was proud of earned master points playing duplicate bridge in Grand Forks. She spent many hours playing cards with family and friends and played until loss of vision made it too difficult to continue. She replaced playing cards with "reading" books from recordings for the blind. She was an avid reader loving mysteries and historical novels.   Family was everything to Shirley. She played a major part in the life of her children and grandchildren and truly influenced the adults they became.

She is survived by her son, Timothy (Margarete, Cindy), Houston, TX; a daughter, Debra (Marvin) Hodny, Grand Forks, ND and grandchildren, Jessica Hoff, Michael (Karli) Hoekstra, Michael (Mary Jo) Hoff, Claudia (Scott) Ramsay, Angelika (Mark) Huglen, Francine (Jeff) Morgan, Janice Hoff, Joshua (Vilaysak) Hodny, Joseph (Rachel) Hodny, Jennifer (Randal) Duffy, Jacob (Lacey) Hodny and 19 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward and children, Edward (Marilyn) Hoff and Cheryl (John) Hoekstra.

Graveside Service and Interment: Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.