Shirley Bergquist

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Shirley Bergquist, who passed away surrounded by love after a long and courageous journey.

Shirley was born on July 25, 1960, in Lanigan, Saskatchewan. She spent her early school years (Grades 1–6) in Kandahar, later attending school in Caronport, and completing her education in Wynyard in 1979.

In February of 1981, Shirley met Gary while he was working at the new seed plant. She brought lunch out one day—little did she know she would be serving him lunches for the next 44 years. Gary proposed on October 2, 1981, and they were married on April 24, 1982, beginning a life built on love, partnership, and family.

Together they raised their boys—Calvin, Jeffrey, and Bodan—on their acreage near Kandahar, where they spent many years farming and building a life rooted in hard work and connection.

In 2000, Shirley and Gary moved to Saskatoon following Shirley’s diagnosis with Raynaud’s. Determined and resilient, she attended Saskatoon Business College and became an Attendance Administrator. She found meaningful work at Mitchell’s Gourmet Foods, where she helped guide and support others—something she deeply valued, especially as she often said she wanted to offer help she didn’t always have growing up. Over the years, she also worked at Sunnyland, Saskatoon Health Authority, and Dunmac Construction.

Shirley retired in 2014 and they returned to Wynyard to be closer to her boys and family.

Throughout her life, Shirley faced many health challenges with incredible strength and grace, including Raynaud’s at age 31, Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 37, Breast cancer age 55 multiple heart procedures, diabetes, and most recently, lung cancer. Despite it all, she continued to live fully and cherish the moments that mattered most.

She had a deep love for travel and adventure. She visited places such as the Dominican Republic, Yellowstone, and even Alcatraz (just to visit). She attended personal development seminars in California and Kananaskis, and enjoyed many road trips to British Columbia to visit Sheila and summers spent camping with family and friends. She always dreamed of more—an Oregon Trail adventure and a river cruise were still on her list.

At home, Shirley found joy in the simple things—quilting with her best friend Karen, Gary, Breanne, and Chloe, spending time in her yard surrounded by sunshine and flowers, She loved her time with the grandkids cheering them on at football games, skating, dancing, talking about cars, trucks and dirt biking. Whatever they were into, so was Shirley. She was always helping and supporting her family in any way she could.

Shirley’s final months were filled with hospital stays, but also with love, laughter, and unwavering support from family and friends who lifted her spirits, gave her hope, did her hair, and made her smile. Those moments will be cherished forever.

Shirley leaves behind her husband Gary Bergquist; sons: Calvin and his children Korbyn, Tristan and Breanne, Jeffrey (Denette) and children Emery, Easton and Chloe, Bodan (Arianna) and son Oliver; siblings Dennis (Bonnie) Dell and their family, Doug (Norma) and their family, Sheila (John) and their family.

We are deeply grateful for the time we had with Shirley. While we wish we had more, we find comfort in knowing she is at peace.

She will be forever loved, deeply missed, and never forgotten.

Donations in Shirley’s memory can be made to:

Wynyardigans Child Care | Box 879 | Wynyard, SK | S0A 4T0