Shirlee Ann Harold

Shirlee Ann Harold, 80, of Bemidji, MN died Monday, August 12, 2024 at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center in Bemidji, MN.
Shirlee was born December 10, 1943 to Viola and Richard Harris Reierson in San Diego, CA where her father was stationed with the Army Air Corps.
They moved back to Fosston, MN after the war and lived in town for a brief period before taking over the family farm. Shirlee was Dairy Princess for Polk County and went on to the semifinals in Crookston. She was active in choir and band at Fosston High School and she lived there until her high school graduation in 1961. After Graduation she moved to Minneapolis where she lived in a Girls Club in Loring Park. Her first job was with Cargill as an office worker while she waited for her school to begin. She then attended Pearl Lohmans Beauty College in downtown Minneapolis. She graduated in 1964 and began working at BenRay Coiffures Beauty Shop on Lake Street.
Shirlee met her husband Don in 1964, and after a brief engagement, they were married August 21, 1965. Her son was born in December of 1966 and her daughter was born in July of 1970, both at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, MN.
They moved to Prior Lake, MN in 1978 and Shirlee worked for 23 years as a real estate and mortgage closer.
Don passed away in March, 1997. After his passing, Shirlee went back to school and received her degree in Graphic Design and Web Page Design from Dakota County Technical College in 2000. She was self-employed in graphic design. She loved live theater as she and her husband worked with the Prior Lake Players theater group for over 20 years on and off stage. She also did some traveling with her "Deeply Disturbed" friends.
In 2005 she moved to Bemidji, MN to help care for her mom. She owned and operated Dragonfly Gifts and Home Accessories south of town until 2010 when the store was closed due to highway renovation. She moved to town and worked for a couple of years for Shutterfly in customer service, putting together books for customers, which she enjoyed a lot. She later moved in with her daughter and grandson. She began her work with First Presbyterian Church in April 2017.
Shirlee loved being with her family even though she was a real homebody. She enjoyed working outdoors when she was able. She also loved remodeling and hated not being able to do a lot as she got older. Her greatest loves were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. When they called her GiGi she melted. Her husband was an avid fisherman and she really enjoyed fishing because, as she said, "If you can't fight em, join em."
She was preceded in death by her parents, Viola and Richard Harris Reierson, and husband Donald Harold. She is survived by her children; son Timothy (Lisa) Harold, daughter LoriAnn (Steve Reishus) Harold, grandchildren; Jaryd Harold, Meagan Harold, Matthew (Maia) Harold and four great grandchildren, brothers and sisters; Richard (Pam) Reierson, Sharon (John) Hood, Ronald (Peggy) Reierson, Michael (Jan) Reierson, and Mary (Tim) Handevidt.
Memorial Services will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Bemidji, MN. There will be an hour of visitation before the service at the church. Arrangements are with the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.