Shirley Ann (Kostrzewski) Ellefson

Shirley Ellefson, 70, of Argyle, MN, left this life for an eternal one on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in CHI St. Alexius, Bismarck, ND, with her husband, Gordon, and daughter, Kelsey, at her side.

Shirley Ann Kostrzewski was born on July 14, 1953, in Warren, MN, the daughter of Conrad Sr. and Margaret (Novak) Kostrzewski. She was raised in Argyle, attending St. Rose Elementary, and grew up in the midst of her many, many relatives. When she completed her education, Shirley went to work for the Good Samaritan Home in Warren. In the early 1980s, Shirley went on a blind date that forever changed her life. Gordon Ellefson became her husband on July 16, 1983, in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. The young couple made their home in Argyle, first renting, later buying the home they would live in together for the next 40 years of their marriage.

Working as a CNA at the Good Sam until the mid 1990s, Shirley switched paths to the Marshall Co. Group Home, where she was hired to do their programming. She cared for the clients like her own children and helped with all sorts of care tasks (in addition to her actual duties) that helped the Home run smoothly. A generous person with a tender heart, Shirley worked many evenings for her clients but always had a meal waiting for her family at home. Her “love language” was cooking, and she'd read a cookbook like you would a novel: soaking in every bit of information before marking it “Good,” “Maybe,” or “X” (for those that didn't taste so great). She always had something baking in the oven and could be relied upon to coax just a little more food into a guest.

She was deeply loved, is sorely missed, and will be forever remembered in the hearts of her family members.

In addition to her husband of 40 years, Gordon, Shirley is survived by her four children, Ron (Vickie) Ellefson of Thief River Falls, MN, DeAnn (fiance, Travis “Wheeler” Weiland) Ellefson, Kristen (Peter) Hvidsten both of Stephen, MN, and Kelsey (John) Dannenberg of Moorhead, MN; nine grandchildren, Breanna (Dillion) and Tyler, Owen, Kate, Maddy, and Ella, and Brady, Callen, and Adalyn; one great-grandson, Noah; siblings, Conrad (Bev) Kostrzewski, David Kostrzewski, and Peggy (Harry) Hultgren; as well as nieces and nephews too numerous to count.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Richard and Roger; aunt, Theresa Kostrzewski, who loved her like a daughter; and uncles Daniel and August Kostrzewski.


MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 10:30 AM, in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Argyle, MN.
VISITATION: one hour prior to Mass.
INTERMENT: St. Rose Catholic Cemetery, Argyle.

Note: A family visitation with her body present will be held prior to the week of her Funeral Mass.