Shirley Jenson

Minot

Shirley Jenson, 93, Minot and formerly of Van Hook, died on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 in a Minot nursing home.

Shirley Elaine was born on August 10, 1932 in Turtle Lake, ND to Sylvester and Edith (Borgen) Grabinger. She was raised on a farm near Turtle Lake and in Turtle Lake, graduated from Turtle Lake High School and attended Bismarck Junior College where she received a degree in secretarial studies.

Shirley was once married to James Bergo on February 2, 1952. They made their home in Minot where Shirley was a fulltime wife, mother and homemaker. When her children were grown she became employed at the Ramada Inn as an administrative assistant for ten years. She moved to Denver, CO in 1980 and was employed by Wood Brothers as an administrative assistant.

Shirley married Wes Jenson on April 20, 1985 at First Lutheran Church in Minot. They made their home in Minot prior to his retirement. Then, they spent the summer months at Van Hook and the winter months in South Padre Island, TX. Wes died on July 25, 2022. Most recently, Shirley had resided at the Minot Lodge and Trinity Homes.

Shirley was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church – Minot and First Lutheran Church – Minot and was an active participant in the Friendly Town Project between Chicago and the Minot area. Shirley especially enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, crossword puzzles and reading the newspaper.

Shirley’s loving family includes her children: David (Gale) Bergo of Minot, Nancy O’Shea of Columbia, TN and Kim (Doug) Tande of Minot; stepchildren: Steven (Cindy) Jenson of Minot and Sharon (Don) Self of Terry MT; grandchildren: Lindsey (Eric) Zietz, Laura (Mark) Olonia, Kelli (Clint) Romesha, Jim O’Shea, Tom (Taylor) O’Shea, Terri (Matt) Lott, Karin Unhjem, Erik (Vanessa) Tande, Mari (Sheldon) Shearer, Levi Tande, Randi Bergo and Nolan (Terry) Straabe; step-grandchildren: Marianne Barnes, Justin (Sara) Gillmore and Connor Self; (23) great grandchildren; (7) step great grandchildren; (1) great great grandchild; brothers: Scott Grabinger and Brent (Marsha) Grabinger; in-laws: Janice Grabinger, Vera Wright, Darrell Olson and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son: Paul Bergo; brothers: Leonard (Florence) Grabinger and Russell Grabinger; nephew: John Grabinger, in-laws: M. Jill Grabinger, William (Barb) Jenson, Lorraine Olson, Janice Werman, Melvin Jenson and Erwin “Smokey” Wright.

Liturgy of the Word Service: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot. To view a livestream of the service or to share memories and condolences access: www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at Little Flower Catholic Church.

Memorials are preferred to Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot or First Lutheran Church, Minot.

Thomas Family Funeral Home – Minot has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 30, 2026.