Shirley Johansen

Fargo

Shirley Ann Johansen, age 76, passed into Eternal Life at the Sanford Medical Center Fargo. She was born to Philip and Pauline (Johnson) Egge on November 18, 1949 in Grand Forks, ND. Shirley attended the Wold # 2 country school in Buxton and then Mayville Public School. She graduated from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, MN in 1967.

She attended Minot State University where she was active in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and the marching band. She was united in marriage to Dennis Johansen on June 19, 1971 in Mayville at the Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church. They were blessed with three children, Christy, Matthew and Joshua.

Shirley and Dennis were both teachers. The best years of her teaching career were at Mandaree High School in Mandaree, ND. On their 21st anniversary, Dennis was taken from her in a tragic farm accident. She then moved to Fergus Falls, MN and eventually back to western North Dakota after her children were grown. Despite the many life and physical challenges that Shirley faced, she remained resilient and strong in her trust in her Savior, Jesus Christ, until her last breath.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis; her parents Philip and Pauline Egge; her in-laws, Herb and Gloria Johansen and her sister-in-law, Donna Larson. She is survived by her children Christy, Matthew (Laurie), and Joshua; her grandchildren Caleb, Bella, Abbie, and Ben; her brother Ron (Elayna) Egge and her sister Kaye (Vern) Vanderpas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Inspiration Point Bible Camp (ipoint.org) or the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (mplsheart.org).

Visitation: Monday, May 18, 2026 from 5:30 PM until 6:30 PM at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND.

Prayer Service: Monday, May 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Liberty Lutheran Brethren Church, Fargo, ND.

Interment: Johnsons Corner Cemetery, McKenzie County by family at a later date.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

West Fargo, North Dakota

westfuneralhome.com

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 16, 2026.