Badger, Shirley A.

BURLEY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Shirley Andersen Badger, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the age of 84 on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello.

She was born on May 3, 1940, in Burley, Idaho, to Thorwal and Leah Maurine Fewkes Andersen. She was born in her parents’ home, located six miles southeast of Burley. She lived on the farm for her first fourteen years of life. At the beginning of her freshman year at Burley Jr. High, they moved from the farm to a newly built home located one mile south of Burley.

During high school, Shirley was recognized for participating in school activities and scholastic achievements. She helped organize the first drill team group known as the “Burley Hi Stepperettes,” wrote for the school newspaper, and was an associate editor on the “The Bur Hur” staff. She was voted one of the class of 1958’s ten most outstanding seniors.

The night before her high school graduation in 1958, she was presented with an engagement ring from Dennis Peter Badger. They began their wedding plans and were married in August of that year in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Dennis began working at the new Boise Cascade Container Plant that fall. They accepted job transfers through the years, living in Denver, Colorado; St. Paul, Minnesota; Richland, Washington; Salem, Oregon, then returned to Burley. They made many friends and had the opportunity to serve in many capacities for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shirley served in various callings in the Primary, as Young Women’s President twice, and as Relief Society President twice. She loved serving as ward historian and Stake Family History Consultant. She managed the Beehive Clothing Distribution Center for nine years and served with Dennis at Deseret Industries on a Church Service Mission. When the Twin Falls Temple was dedicated in 2008, she was set apart as a volunteer clerk working in the office and served for six years. Shirley and Dennis enjoyed doing temple work together. She was pleased to be able to do her parents’ work and to know she was sealed to them. Shirley was an excellent seamstress and blessed the lives of many with her talent.

Dennis and Shirley were blessed with seven children and at one time had four children under the age of two. Their union has been blessed with 30 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren. Family meant everything to Shirley. She once wrote, “I am grateful for my family and the love that binds us. Life has its struggles, but love makes it easier.”

Shirley is survived by her husband, Dennis; her children, Denise (Randy) Harris, Douglas (Lindy) Badger, Trent (Dorothy) Badger, Trena Olsen, Alesha (Scott) Whitney, Shirlane Owen, Bethany (Brandon) Bowman; 30 grandkids and 58 great-grandkids; and brother, James Andersen.

Her parents preceded her death, as did her sister, LaRae Merrill, her son-in-law, Keith Owen, and her great-granddaughter, Isabelle.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 21, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Pella 2nd Ward, at 152 W. 400 S., Burley. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, February 20, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church prior to the service.

A live webcast of the funeral service will be available and maintained at rasmussenwilson.com.