Obituary of Shirley Louise Steinhoff

Shirley Louise Steinhoff was born on the farm in Forestburg on March 23,1938 to Lottie and Tabor Ross. She was the youngest of ten siblings. Shirley attended primary and secondary school at Forestburg Consolidated School. Then went on to Edmonton for her teacher’s education in Home Economics. She taught in Heisler, Killam and then back to Forestburg Consolidated School. Shirley married her love, Allan Steinhoff on August 11,1962. Shirley then moved with Allan to the family farm southwest of Donalda, AB where she settled into life teaching at the Donalda School. While living on the farm Shirley was a talented homemaker and gardener! Together with Allan, they welcomed 3 children: Bradley (1964), Beverley (1967), and Sandra (1969). They lived on the farm until 2000, when they moved to the town of Stettler. Shirley was a big sportswoman! Enjoying softball, bowling, curling, waterskiing, horseshoe, bean bag, golf and card playing most of her life and then in the later years, spectator sports of curling, golf and baseball on TV! Shirley was blessed with a narrow frame and enjoyed fashion and hairstyles throughout the ages. She had them all! Over the years her love of gardening and cooking showed through with her many large meals prepared for family celebrations, friends' parties and community events! She was a big entertainer and loved to plan and host parties which her and Allan did many times. She was active in the community, volunteering for many Donalda Celebrations. Shirley & Allan were travel enthusiasts and enjoyed many big trips all over the world. They were snowbirds in Mesa, Arizona for 25 years. She had 2 sons-in-law, one from Norway, and the other from Italy. Recently Shirley and Allan had many visits to family in Vancouver and Fairmont Hot Springs. Shirley was a good friend to many. She had great zest for life and being happy! Many of the family summers were spent with Donalda families camping at Buffalo Lake, waterskiing, playing bean bag, staying up late around the campfire. Shirley’s greatest devotion and her legacy is her family. She believed very much that “The Love of a Family is Life’s Greatest Blessing.” Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband Allan, her children Bradley (Roberta), Beverley (Vittorio) and Sandy (Arild). Her grandchildren Janine (Trevor), Bailey (Cole), Drew, Ashling and Nikolai, and her great grand children, Josephine and Haisley (Janine’s). Her brother Earl Ross, sister Blanche Graumann, sisters- in-law Carol Ross and Leona Ross and many nieces and nephews and family and special friends. Shirley was predeceased by her parents Lottie and Tabor, her brothers Charles, Harold, and Calvin and her sisters: Gladys, Eunice, Vesta, and Grace. And most recently a very special cousin, Kirk McEwing. A Celebration of Shirley’s Life was held October 26, 2019 at Stettler Funeral Home with Pastor Ross Helgeton officiating. Judy Dinsmore and Judy Sware gave loving tributes. A beautiful pictorial presentation of Shirley’s family, friends and travels were presented. Interment took place at Donalda Cemetery where she was laid to rest with Bruce Salmon, Pat Dinsmore, Joe Graumann, Trevor Whamond, Duane Pochylko and Keith McElhinney serving as Pallbearers, Honorary Pallbearers were granddaughters: Janine Dalueg, Bailey Steinhoff, Ashling Hansen and Drew Rouse, grandson Nikolai Hansen, great granddaughters Josephine and Haisley Whamond. Family and friends gathered for a time of fellowship and refreshments in the Heartland Reception Centre served by Teresa’s Catering & Staff. Memorial donations may be made to the Donalda Cemetery