Shirley Zahradka

*** To view the service video, please click this link ***  https://youtu.be/CP-bHRjFT0c 

Shirley Yvonne Zahradka, age 84, of Grand Forks, passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at her winter home in Arizona.

Shirley was born on June 7, 1936 to Clarence & Bernice (Disselbrett) Johnson in Cleveland Township.

She was raised on the farm & attended school at Cleveland 48. She moved with her family to Minneapolis, MN her junior year and graduated in 1954 from West High School.

She was united in marriage to William L. Zahradka on July 2, 1955 at Quale Church, rural Fordville. They made their home on a farm in rural Lankin, ND.

Shirley was an excellent farm woman raising chickens & prize-winning gladiolus. She enjoyed gardening & loved her flowers. She was involved with many aspects of the farm including honey bees, apples & keeping everyone fed. She is well-known for her breadmaking and Kolache skills. Her pride and joy was raising her 5 children.

Her husband William passed away on April 15, 1981. Shirley managed the small grain operation, her chickens and sheep while working at the B&H Café in Petersburg. In 1986 she moved off the farm to Petersburg, ND where she managed the B&H Café. In 1987 she moved to Lakota & worked at the Sunlac. She moved to Grand Forks in 1992. She worked for Wal-Mart for 13 years, retiring in 2012. Shirley had a winter home in Mesa, AZ where she enjoyed the sunshine, playing cards & Bunco with her friends.

She was a member of the Busy Fingers Homemaker Club, Lankin Legion Auxiliary, Sarnia Lutheran Church, Quale Lutheran Church & WELCA, Kosobud Lodge and the Grand Forks Survivors group.

She is survived by her children: Dr. Sandra Zahradka (Bill) Mann, Birmingham, AL; William C. (Shelly) Zahradka, Wolf Point, MT; Dale (Bonnie) Zahradka, Lankin, ND; & Lonney Zahradka, Grand Forks, ND. Grandchildren: Nikki (Scott) Zahradka-Bylin; Brittney Zahradka; Tessa Zahradka; Crosley Zahradka; Wyatt Zahradka; Hannah Hafner; Sarah (Easton) Copenhaver; Broden (Amber) Hafner; Dalton Hafner; Caitlin Dale; & Taylor Mann. Great grandchildren: Jase Bylin, Kellen Zahradka, Graham Bylin, & Emerson Copenhaver; sister: Beverly Anton, Park River, ND; several nieces & nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband; son Dr. Buckly Zahradka; grandson Nathan Zahradka; parents Clarence Johnson & Bernice Johnson Fenske; sister Clariece Jore; & brother Elvin Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Dr. Buck Zahradka Scholarship at UND, Kosobud Cemetery or Quale Church.

 A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2021, at 2:00 pm at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks, with family present at 12:30.

  A private Interment will be held at Kosobud Cemetery in rural Lankin, in the spring.