Obituary for Shirley Mae Crowder - East Idaho News
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Obituary

Shirley Mae Crowder

July 4th, 1948 - December 9th, 2025

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Shirley May Crowder, age 77, of Rigby, Idaho, passed away at her residence on December 9, 2025. She was born July 4, 1948, in San Bernardino, California, to Kenneth Long and Madge Walters.

Shirley graduated from Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California. She later attended nursing school and cosmetology school, always eager to learn and work hard. Throughout her life, she served others in many ways, including working as a teacher’s aide within school districts. Her most recent employment was with Dr. Mayo at Family Chiropractic Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Shirley lived in Rialto, California; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and most recently Rigby, Idaho. She married Thane R. Crowder in 1982, and they shared 44 years of marriage together.

Shirley worked tirelessly to support her family. As a devoted single mother of two boys, she worked multiple jobs—bartending, cutting hair, and attending school—demonstrating incredible strength, determination, and love for her children.

Shirley was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved God deeply and cherished praying with her family.

She enjoyed the simple joys of life—shopping at Hobby Lobby, watching NASCAR, and tuning in to QVC, her favorite TV channel. She adored her dogs, Charlee and her most recent companion, Marlow. Texas Roadhouse was her favorite restaurant, daisies were her favorite flower, fall was her favorite season, and she especially loved decorating for Christmas. Flamingos brought her particular joy, and she delighted in anything that featured them.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Thane R. Crowder of Rigby, Idaho; her stepdaughter Sheena Crowder and her husband Derrick Wohlschlegel, of Rigby, Idaho; her sons Michael C. Book and his wife, Renee, of Boise, Idaho, and Steven D. Book and his wife, Shelby, of Salt Lake City, Utah; her sister Sharon Herman and her husband, Mel, of Lamars, Iowa; eight grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth Long and Madge Walters, and her sister, Sandra Johnson.

Funeral services will be held May 16, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Rock Garden in Idaho Falls, Idaho,1275 River Walk Drive.

Please RSVP to Michael Book at 208-989-1848.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com

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