Shirley Valene Rasmussen Probert, 97, Scipio, passed away in Nephi on May 4, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. She was born Jan. 7, 1926, in Salina, to Ira and Dee Rasmussen. the sixth of seven children.
She married Byron Don “Bud” Probert on May 24, 1945; Later solemnized in the Manti temple May 5, 1955.
Shirley was a valiant member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many capacities in the primary, as a mutual leader, Relief Society President, and wherever else she was needed. One of her favorite callings was teaching the Blazers. She would take them fishing, hiking, teach them tin can cooking and many other outdoor skills. Shirley and Bud served a mission at Cove Fort which they loved and made many dear friends. Even though Shirley had been unable to attend the temple for several years she always kept a current temple recommend.
While Bud was off to war, Shirley worked at Barrett’s grocery store and Mom’s Café in Salina. She was her dad’s right-hand man and was very mechanically inclined. She loved cars and tractors and could fix anything with a motor or wheels and beyond. She worked on the Crosier Ranch harvesting sugar beets, peas and potatoes shipping them to the canneries and factories. She worked as a seamstress at the Scipio Sewing Plant for 18 years. Shirley served on the Scipio Town Council as Secretary and Treasurer for 20 years. During that time, they sent her to computer school so she could learn how to enter the town data. She also spent several years working for the US Agriculture doing farm and ranch surveys. She was active in the Utah Cattlemen’s Association and served in the Cowbells. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers for over 30 years. She prepared income taxes for many people, for as long as we can remember, finishing her last one this past March. She also took care of all the bookwork for the Probert Brothers Ranch.
Shirley was very ambitious, raising her own chickens and gardens, canning food, baking bread, and wallpapering several of the houses in Scipio. She rode with Bud on the Sweetwater allotment during the summers where she always made sure to bring some grandkids along with her. She loved to hunt and even shot and killed on of her deer off the back of her horse. Grandma loved spending time with her grandkids, fixing up old bikes, helping build huts, cooking batches upon batches of Swedish pancakes, cinnamon rolls and chicken dumpling soup.
Shirley was a loyal, loving and kind wife. When Bud got sick Shirley drove him to Provo then eventually to Richfield for dialysis 3 days a week for several years. She missed him dearly every day after he passed, leaving a big hole in her heart. She was a good steward in everything she was blessed with in her life.
She is survived by her children, Don (Juliana) Probert, Scipio; David (Debera) Probert, Pleasant View; Irene Eyre, Gillette, Wyoming; Virginia (John) Caswell, Sandy; Sam (Kimberly) Probert, Scipio; and 20 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bud; her parents and siblings; and 2 grandsons and 1 great-grandson.
Funeral services will be heldFriday, May 12, at 11 a.m. in the Scipio ward chapel. Viewings will be Thursday, May 11, from 6 to 8 p.m., and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., prior to services, both at the church. Interment will be in the Scipio Town Cemetery.
Online condolences at rasmussenmortuary.com.
