Shirley Kier, age 70, of Mahnomen, Minnesota, died Sunday, July 29, 2012 at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.

Shirley Ann Roy was born on April 8, 1942 in White Earth, Minnesota, and was lovingly raised by her maternal grandparents, Joseph and Elizabeth Alvarado. She grew up in the Naytahwaush, Minnesota area and graduated from Mahnomen High School. As a young woman, Shirley moved to Kansas where she attended Haskell College. She then moved to St. Paul, Minnesota and worked as a secretary for a time. A few years later, Shirley moved back to Naytahwaush and was united in marriage to John Kier. The couple continued to make their home in Naytahwaush and were blessed with three children: Raymond, Deb and Carol. Shirley worked at the Naytahwaush Sewing Factory before moving to Washington State in the early 1970's. They returned to Naytahwaush about 10 years later and she resumed her position at the Sewing Factory. From 1989 until 1991, Shirley was employed with Mahnomen County Human Services until her health forced her into retirement. She moved into Mahnomen, living for a while with her daughter and later at Valley View Commons. In 2006, Shirley entered the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.

Shirley loved to read, especially her bible. She was a long time member of St. Anne's Catholic Church in Naytahwaush. She also liked to play Bingo and do word search puzzles. She was a talented cook and always took great care planning her week's menu. She loved her family deeply and cherished the time she spent visiting with her friends and playing with her grandchildren.


Shirley is survived by two daughters,Deb (Ron Beaupre) Kier of Mahnomen, and Carol Ann Bunker of Fargo, ND; three brothers, Ramiro Alvarado Jr., Harold Alvarado, and Richard Alvarado; six sisters: Juanita Aquilar, Sheila (Lupe) Suarez, Lorenza Behnkie, Gloria Martinez, Tina Alvarado, and Ginny (Merle) Bush; seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville Turner and Elizabeth Wadena; grandparents, Joseph and Elizabeth Roy; her son, Raymond; and one brother, Martin.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 11:00am on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Naytahwaush, MN, with Father Dwight Hoeberechts, OMI presiding. Lori Handyside played the organ and Mary Ann Brisbois was the song leader. Serving as pallbearers were Christopher Kier Sr., Michael Thorpe, Ramiro Alvarado III, Darrell Alvarado, Pete Alvarado, and Lupe "Chach" Suarez Jr. Honorary bearers included all of Shirley's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation was one hour prior to the service on Thursday.
Interment took place in St. Anne's Catholic Cemetery in Naytahwaush.