1944 ~ 2017
Shirley Ann (Garceau) Bierman, entered Heaven on March 19, 2017, after a nine-year battle with cancer. She was welcomed by the jubilant sounds of her father Dave Garceau’s heavenly orchestra and a choir of angels.
Shirley was born in 1944 in Marshall, Missouri to David and Emily Garceau. She was an early lover of Jesus, music and family. She grew up alongside four brothers and a younger sister quickly learning servitude, strength and unwavering love. As a youngster, she devoted herself to the study of piano, trumpet, organ and the Catholic faith. She invested in her community members—while caring for her ill brothers and always making friends along the way.
After graduating from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1962, Shirley pursued a degree in organ performance and music education at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. In 1966, after receiving her degree, Shirley gave her heart to Douglas Bierman in marriage. A dynamic music teacher, she brought enthusiasm to each class she taught; first in Little Falls, Minnesota, then Ely and finally in Carson City, Nevada where the couple raised their family and called home for more than 45 years.
Conceiving wild productions (annual family Christmas pageants) and off-beat performances (a “Joyful, Joyful” rendition of parading kazoos, and 76 Trombones among them) were specialties she embraced and enjoyed. She served as a church organist, choir director and private piano teacher. While music and church filled her life, Shirley’s greatest achievement and legacy are her four children and eleven grandchildren. She is the musical background of their lives, champion of underdogs and keeper of faith. She walked this life, courageously and fearlessly with God by her side, a constant warm smile and ready to serve with abundant grace.
Shirley’s spirit is carried on through her husband, Douglas (Meridian, ID); children: Sara (Christoph) Blattler, (Portugal); Paul, (Bozeman, MT); Ted (Lara), (Meridian, ID); Anna (Jared) Tatro, (Boise, ID); 11 grandchildren, three surviving siblings and an extended family of relatives and friends from every walk of life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers - Davie and Terry, one son Doug Jr.and a granddaughter, Anna Sophia.
Memorial Service Monday, March 27, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.
Rosary Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 6300 N. Meridian Rd., Meridian, ID, http://www.holyapostlesmeridian.net/
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to either: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (National headquarters), 6931 Arlington Road, 2nd floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, https://www.cff.org/ or First Choice (Home Health and Hospice), 12400 W. Overland Rd, Suite 100, Boise, Idaho 83709, www.firstchoiceboise.com
To sign online guest book please go to cloverdalefuneralhome.com
