Shirleen Laura Bramwell Lundahl, 82, died peacefully in her sleep due to natural causes Wednesday, February 20, 2013, at Legacy House in Logan, Utah. She was married to her husband, E. Cordell Lundahl, for 60 years.
Shirleen was born May 19, 1930, in Rigby to Alton and LaVeida Bramwell. She was the elder of two children. She grew up in St. Anthony.
She graduated from St. Anthony High School and then attended Utah State University, where she met and fell in love with Cordell Lundahl. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on April 14, 1950. She resided the majority of her life in Cache Valley.
Shirleen was an active member of the LDS church and served in many capacities during her lifetime. She loved all kinds of music and played both the organ and the piano from when she was very young. During college, she accompanied many groups. She naturally progressed to being the ward organist/pianist. She did this for more than 30 years.
In addition to playing for the church, she had to get her seven children ready for church 10 minutes early each week, which in and of itself was a miracle. Her children have fond memories of being around the piano or organ while mom played various Christmas carols and everyone was singing.
Shirleen loved to travel. She and Cordell were able to travel worldwide through Cordell's business association. Shirleen also loved to cook and entertain for her family and friends. Upon her children's arrival home from school, they would often smell fresh-baked breads, cinnamon twists (her specialty), cookies and other goodies. She was happiest with the house full of family and friends with plenty of good food, lively conversations and the formation of happy and lasting memories.
Shirleen was alone a lot of the time during the first 20 years of her marriage to Cordell while he was out on the road selling farm equipment and other goods. She was actively involved with her children's extracurricular activities, from Scouting and 4-H to Young Adult activities, both in teaching and supportive roles.
Shirleen loved to read. Reading a good book was pure heaven for her. She liked reading all sorts of genres from history, gospel, religious, popular, fiction and nonfiction. She was active and served as the president of Literary Club. She was an active member of the Providence Variety Club, where she met and maintained many of her lifetime friends.
She recently recounted that she had done everything she wanted to in life, except learn to play the harp.
She is survived by her seven loving children, Chris (Ali), Mark (Natalie), Jeff (Lisa), Leanna, Dewey (Diana), Allison (Ted), and Todd (Teresa); in addition to 35 grandchildren and 59 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cordell Lundahl; her one brother, Lyndon (Esther) Bramwell; and her parents, Alton and LaVeida Bramwell.
Funeral services will be held at noon Monday, February 25, in the Providence Foxridge Ward Chapel, 155 N. 100 East. Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center St. in Logan, and from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Foxridge Ward Building. Interment will be in Providence Cemetery.
A special thanks to Sunshine Terrace and staff; Legacy House and staff; Access Home Care and Hospice; Dr. Michael Stone and Foxridge Ward.
Condolences may be sent to www.allenmortuaries.net.
Family tribute