Shirley C. Danielson, 82, of Ogden Utah, and a graduate of Riverside-Brookfield High School, died June 7, 2013.
Born July 16, 1930 in St. Louis to John Gilbert Mortensen and Irma Francis VanZweden, she grew up in Illinois and graduated from RBHS. She married her high school sweetheart, Ronald Danielson, on June 15, 1951 and later solemnized in the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints Temple in Salt Lake City.
After her husband graduated from Purdue University, the couple moved to Downey, Calif. Mr. Danielson died in November 1953 and Ms. Danielson took her infant son back to Illinois to live with her parents while she completed her college education.
She attended the University of Chicago and became a first-grade teacher. After teaching in Illinois for three years, Ms. Danielson and her son, David, moved to Ogden, Utah, where she taught 35 more years in the Weber School District.
Later with the help of her son, David, and his wife, Sherry, Ms. Danielson earned a master’s degree through a Utah State University program at Weber State College. In 1996, she received the Golden Apple Award as an outstanding teacher in Utah.
Ms. Danielson was a lifelong member of the LDS church and served in the primary, Sunday school and MIA organizations on both Ward and Stake levels. She was a Relief Society teacher and counselor.
She also had a passion for music and served as a choir director and ward chorister. Ms. Danielson was a talented road show writer and director, and her shows usually took first place.
Locally, Ms. Danielson founded several book clubs and artistic societies and was a member of several sororities. She had a talent for oil painting and water colors. She also traveled extensively, visiting many U.S. states, Mexico, Europe, China, Korea, Jamaica and Panama.
Ms. Danielson is survived by her son, David (Sherry); her grandchildren, David Jr. (Karen), Adrienne (Ben) Donner, Ruth Danielson (Wayne Burgess), Ronald II (Kristen); 11 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Joyce (Russell) Taylor and Myra Faye (Robert) Earl; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald; her parents; her sister, Gail (Michael) Traasdahl; her nephew, Karl Traasdahl; and many cousins, aunts and uncles.
Funeral services have been held. Interment was at Ogden City Cemetery.
Myers Ogden Mortuary, Ogden, handled arrangements.
