Obituary of Shirley Maxine Rosenau (Squire)

Shirley Maxine Squire (Rosenau) was born November 3rd, 1935, at their family’s homestead, southwest of Chinook. She passed away August 24th, 2024, at the age of 88, in Brooks, AB.

Shirley was born as the fifth child to Samuel and Mabel Squire. Their family moved around between a few farm sites: Collholme, Rearville and Ranier. Shirley mainly attended the country school at Collholme until 9th grade. In 1950 Shirley moved to Chinook and completed grade 11 there. When the family moved back to the farm, Shirley moved to Youngstown, where she worked at Mars’ store. While working at the store, she met her match, Edward.

Shirley and Edward married in Drumheller on May 10th, 1958 and moved to Calgary for three months before returning to Chinook to farm. They started their farming legacy with a borrowed truck and one sow pig. You couldn’t find two more determined, relentless or hardworking people. They were married 66 years.

Over the next ten years, they welcomed three children, Cherylee Ann, Edward Carl Jr. and Michele Lynn.

Shirley loved to garden and grow flowers and was a steward of land and animals. She persevered through, struggled with weather and grasshoppers, but always had something to show for her efforts. There was always a job to do, and with three extra sets of hands, the farm grew with their family. Shirley raised the bottle calves, baby chicks, kittens, and anything else needing a little extra love and attention.

Life was busy, and in addition to all of the farming, Shirley had a meal to go with every occasion. Pies, homemade bread and buns, cookies and cakes. Everything was made from scratch, with milk from the cow and eggs from chickens. In her spare time, she could sew up a wedding gown, new suit or anything else on her trusty Singer machine. Her embroidery and crochet, quilting and crafts decorated their home.

Grandchildren started arriving in 1984. Six of them: Eric, Vicki, Kyle, Ganya, Jessica and Hayley. And eventually, Shirley became a great grandmother to Rebecca, Zach, Jonah and Lydia.

Shirley was so much more than a daughter, wife, mum, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a smart, spirited woman who cared deeply about her family, friends and her values. She had a strong sense of faith and community. The after social socials were always at Rosenau’s, for cards and coffee and a midnight lunch. It’s hard to sum up a life of 88 years into a single article, this barely scratches the surface of what we could share about her.

Shirley leaves to mourn her husband, Edward, her children and siblings, grandchildren, great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private graveside service will be held at the Chinook Cemetery.

If desired, memorial donations in Shirley’s name can be made directly to the Solar Lutheran Church (Cereal), Box 282, Youngstown, AB, T0J 3P0.