Shirley Carrick of Clarissa passed away at the Clarissa Care Center on April 7, 2026. She was 89 years old.

A funeral service will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at United Methodist Church in Clarissa. A visitation will take place that day, starting at 10:00 AM until the start of the funeral.  Burial will take place at a later date.

Shirley Jane Carrick, age 89, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2026.

Shirley was born on May 30, 1936, in the Strawberry Lake area of Minnesota, to Helen and Isaac Pellman. Helen was fair, blue-eyed, and slight, while Isaac was dark-complected—traits Shirley inherited. A dark-haired, green-eyed, precocious child, she was the third of nine children. Both sides of her family traced their roots to Finland, a heritage that would come to define her strength and spirit.

As a young woman, Shirley waitressed at Gordy’s and Mickie’s Café in Detroit Lakes. She had a gift for connecting with people. She could strike up a conversation with any stranger and did so all her life.

Shirley’s proudest accomplishment was raising six children. She was a superwoman—the “S” on her cape stood for Shirley. She managed a large dairy farm household, sewed, gardened, canned, and cooked large meals from scratch for her family and hired hands. It was not uncommon for the kids to come home from school to homemade donuts, cream puffs, or cookies. There was always a pan of bars or dessert in her kitchen.

She nurtured not only her children’s bodies but their spirits—reading daily devotions and keeping them active in 4-H and church.

Shirley also worked outside the home, doing what she loved—waitressing at Millie’s Café and the Dew Drop Inn in Clarissa.

At age 40, she began a new chapter as one of the original employees at the Todd County Care Center, where she worked for decades as a CNA and medication aide. Her compassion and dedication touched countless lives.

Shirley married her beloved husband, Carol Carrick, in 1977, and with that union, she helped raise her seventh child, Chad.

In 1979, Shirley and Carol built and operated a board and lodging home for seniors, and later for adults with disabilities. Shirley poured her heart into caring for her residents—cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and creating a place that truly felt like home.

Shirley was very social and cherished her friendships. She was active in the Golden Rule Club, Homemakers, and TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)—though gatherings often included desserts that made the name a bit ironic.

She was a loyal and loving friend, known for her quick wit, humor, and playful spirit. She loved a good prank. If you finished a puzzle only to find the last piece missing, it might have been in Shirley’s pocket.

Then there were “Shirley-isms,” the simple observations that reflected her appreciation for life’s beauty:

“Is there anything as beautiful as a red cardinal?”

“Is there anything warmer than fleece?”

“It’s a beautiful clothes-drying day.”

“How can you look at a flower and not believe in God?”

Life was not always easy for Shirley, but she met it with resilience, determination, and grace. Even in her final days in hospice, her answer to nearly every question was, “I’m fine.”

By her own admission, Shirley was a lifelong feisty lady—lovingly called “the Fiery Finn” by her husband. She embodied the Finnish concept of SISU: strength, perseverance, and grit in the face of adversity.

Shirley will be remembered for her warmth, her strength, her humor, and the love she gave so freely to her family, friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Carol; her sons Brad, Ken, and Rick; and her siblings Reino, Joyce, Roger, and baby Jeanette.

She is survived by her children, Chris (Roger) Luebben, Deb (John) Butorac, and Julie Feuling; daughters-in-law Sandy Vogt and Vicki Feuling; stepson Chad Carrick; her brother Robert Pellman; and her sisters Lorraine Knutson, Mary Ann (Jim) Brogren, and Lolly (Mike) Livingood.

She is also survived by her grandchildren Jackie, Jeri, Josh, Jo, Laurie, Jill, Travis, Ryan, Alicia, Molly and Matt; 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

And lastly, several well-loved fleece blankets.