Shirley Jean Packard passed away peacefully, at Golden Acres Manor in Carrington, ND on May 22, 2025 at the age of 87.

Shirley was born in New Rockford, ND April 16, 1938, the second child to Alvin and Ida Womacks. She had two brothers and two sisters. In her teens, to help support her family, she withdrew from school to work. She returned to New Rockford High School and graduated in 1958. One of her most prized accomplishments.

In July of 1958, Shirley wed Robert (Bob) Packard. They lived in New Rockford and had six children. She was very proud of her “6 Cs”. There were many family camping vacations that provided endless stories and memories involving various blunders and good times. She loved to retell the time her brother Maynard was included on one of the trips.

Shirley was very involved in the community and contributed wherever she could. She was Classroom Mother for several of her children’s elementary school classes. She was active in her children’s 4H club, the Green Berets. She was a very active member of The Emmanuel Lutheran Church and The American Legion Auxiliary in New Rockford. Some of her favorite pastimes were reading and playing Bingo. There is art and science to playing Bingo and she took it very seriously. She was also a savage pinochle player.

Shirley was one of the most hard working women you will ever find. She worked numerous jobs and side gigs in the area to help make ends meet. A few of her most memorable jobs were the Soil Conservation planting trees and substitute rural mail carrier; she could tell you whose farm was whose for endless miles. Other jobs were at Thompson Apiaries (Orrin & Elaine Thompson) and Hanson’s Bar (Robert & Marjorie Lies) with whom she was life long friends. Working at the various restaurants in town, along with tending the grounds at Steam Threshers for many years, allowed her to catch up and visit with friends near and far. If you knew Shirley you know how much she liked to talk!

In 1995 Shirley embarked on her most profound and independent venture of her life. She joined the MSC (Military Sealift Command). She sailed the world while working on various Navy ships doing cleaning and cooking. She had never in her life imagined that she would see the places this adventure took her to. Many of her co-workers became dear friends and she got to know many locals at the ports the ships frequented. She acquired quite the collection of souvenirs and enjoyed sending gifts back home to family and friends from her travels.

She retired from MSC in 2005 and returned to New Rockford. Upon return, she spent a couple years fully renovating the house she purchased, inside and out. She lived independently in this house (with assistance from her son Calvin) almost right up till her passing. She was very proud of her home, and enjoyed having a place where her family could stay when they were in town.

Shirley is survived by her six children, Cheryl (Dave) Gabbert of Blaine, MN; Cindy Toben of Blaine, MN; Craig (Tammy Applin) Packard of Anoka, MN; Calvin Packard of New Rockford, ND; Connie Van Den Einde of Brooklyn Center, MN and Christi (Jeff) Schuda of Mounds View, MN; Her Grandchildren, Brandon (Amanda Nusbaum) Gabbert, Taylor (Chelsea) Toben, Zachary (Katie) Toben, Bailey Applin Wyttenback, Evan Van Den Einde, Nolan (Shayla) Van Den Einde, Cooper Schuda and Parker Schuda. And her Great-GrandDaughter Kinley Toben; Her brother Bill (Danielle) Womacks and sister Vida (Jerome) Klocke; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bob; her brother Maynard Womacks and her sister Mary Ann Harrison.

A special thank you to Shirley’s nephew Todd Harrison, and friends Kevin Johnson and Mary Gehrtz for all of the things you have done for Mom over the years.

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 1:00PM at New Rockford Eagles Club, New Rockford.

Her Burial will be at the Prairie Home Cemetery, New Rockford.