Shirlee Priest

1943 - 2025

Shirlee Jean "Granny" Priest, age 81, passed away May 14, 2025, in Ogden, Utah. She was born on September 5, 1943, in Rupert, Idaho, and was the youngest of eleven children born to Mary Martin and David Kaiser. She lived her entire life in Rupert but moved to Utah to live with her daughter Nicki and husband Todd, when it became too difficult to live on her own.

Shirlee's life was marked by resilience, creativity, and a spirited sense of humor when she deemed it necessary. She was affectionately known as "Granny" and embraced her role as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend with love and generosity.

She is survived by her three daughters, Nicki (Todd) Myers, Ogden, Utah, Starla (David) Chase, DuPont, Washington, and Brooke Priest (Casey Tayor), Golden, Colorado. Her legacy continues through her eight grandchildren, Kalli Holmes (Casey), Madison Johnson (Daxton), Dexter (Bianca) Chase, Braxton Chase, Maxlin Chase, Jaxson Chase, Nixon Chase, and Canyon Taylor. She was also blessed with six great grandsons, Myers Holmes, Wilson Holmes, Kaiser Holmes, Leo Chase, Draco Chase and Hydrus Chase. She leaves behind two sisters, Bette Eames and LaVon Wilcox as well as sisters-in-law, Betty Anderson, Marjorie Jensen, Maurine Ruane, and Kathy Rountree.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Max; granddaughter, JoeNieka Garner; three sisters, Lillian, Betty and June; five brothers, Richard, Melvin, Raymond, Ken and Pete; as well as many friends and family members.

During her younger years, she cleaned houses for a living. Many of her clients became lifelong friends. Often, one of her daughters would go with her and she showed each of us how to work hard and not be afraid to get our hands dirty. She also worked several summers in the fields hoeing beets and potatoes, alongside her two oldest daughters. Our reward was a trip to Nampa to Karcher Mall for new school clothes. She sold Avon and a highlight for her daughters was sorting and delivering the orders to customers.

A woman of many talents, Shirlee was especially known and admired for her incredible sewing skills. She could transform fabric into treasures with precision and love. Whether sewing clothes, quilts, home decorations, potato bags, and bowl cozies, she poured care into every stitch. Her passion for sewing was matched only by her enthusiasm for bargain hunting--whether at yard sales or while shopping for the perfect deal. She had an unmatched eye for yard sale treasures and took pride in being a savvy bargain shopper. ("Go to the sale racks first" was her motto.) Her generosity touched many lives as she gave freely to those around her. She never hesitated to speak her mind when the moment called for it. Her sassy attitude brought us many laughs over the years.

Shirlee's days were often filled with simple pleasures: chatting on the phone with friends near and far, watching "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy" (we knew not to call during that hour), enjoying her daily treat of frozen Mountain Dew, and listening to her daughters talk of their daily doings.

Though we mourn the loss of her deeply, we are comforted knowing she is no longer suffering from the physical ailments that challenged her over many years. Her strength (she preferred to call herself a 'stubborn German') endures in the lessons she taught us--lessons of perseverance, hard work, kindness, resourcefulness and love. We will carry them forward with pride. Bye for now, Mom. May your memory bring comfort and a smile to all those who knew you.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Greystone Crossing, 1221 21st St, Heyburn, Idaho. Graveside will be held on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Paul Cemetery, Paul, Idaho.

Condolences may be shared at:

www.lindquistmortuary.com.