Shirley Gail McKenzie

Shirley Gail (Hillesland) McKenzie died peacefully on Sunday, September 6th, 2026, at A.G. Rhodes nursing facility in Marietta, GA, at the age of 91 years.

Shirley was born on May 10, 1935, to Dan and Lorenze (Gesvold) Hillesland. She grew up in Aneta, ND, and graduated from Aneta Public School in 1953. She continued her education at Mayville State University with a degree in Education. She dedicated her life to teaching, and taught public school in Kloten, Aneta, and Abercrombie, ND.

She met the love of her life, Dave McKenzie, while working at the ‘Popcorn Stand’ in Aneta. They were married June 5 th , 1966, at Sundahl Lutheran Church. Dave and Shirley lived briefly in Wahpeton, ND, where they welcomed their first daughter, Dawn Marie, in 1967. After moving back home to farm near Aneta, they had their second daughter, Melanie Gail, in 1969. Shirleyand Dave were incredibly supportive parents, and never missed an activity their daughters participated in.

Shirley continued to work in Education as the school secretary in Aneta until ‘retiring’ in 1988.She and Dave kept busy working at the Captain’s Deck supper club on the weekends. Later moving to Fargo, ND, in 1989, she drove school bus for Fargo Public Schools, with Dave as her bus aide. They went into full retirement mode when they moved to Wichita, KS in 2015. Their favorite job, however, was being grandparents to Drew, Chase, Talon, and Peyton. They were their entire world!

Shirley is survived by her two daughters, Dawn (Scott) Atkinson of Dallas, GA, and Melanie (Kelly) Flynn of Corpus Christi, TX. Grandchildren, Drew (Kasey) Atkinson of Zebulon, NC, Chase Atkinson of Peachtree Corners, GA, Talon Flynn of Wichita, KS, and Peyton Flynn of New York, NY. In-laws Jim and Evie McKenzie and several nieces and nephews.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Dave; parents Dan and Lorenze Hillesland; sisters Dorothy (Dale) Kleven, and Dolly (Jack) Devlin; In-Laws Murray and Elsie McKenzie, Margaret and Marvin Wamstad, Lois and Curtis Field; and several nieces and nephews.

The Aneta Turkey BBQ meant a lot to her, so to honor her wishes, we will be having a Celebration of Life in Aneta - June 2027.

Shirley had several ‘Grand-dogs’ over the years she loved and adored. If you knew her well, you knew she was an avid animal lover. In lieu of memorials, please make a donation to an animal shelter or rescue in Shirley’s honor.