Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271984
Title: Shirley J. Breckey
Date: 7/30/1941-1/5/2026
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 7/30/1941
Summary: Shirley Jane Brevik Breckey, 84, of Tioga, ND, entered into eternal life and went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 5, 2026. Her memorial service was held January 8, 2026, at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Tioga. Burial was in the United Cemetery, Tioga. Shirley was born on July 30, 1941, in Williston, ND, to Orville and Helen Brevik. She graduated from Williston High School in 1959, where she was a member of the tumbling team and played cornet in the school band. In 1963, Shirley married the love of her life, Joseph Breckey. Together they made their home in Tioga and shared 60 blessed years of marriage, building a life rooted in faith, devotion, and hospitality. A woman of steadfast faith, Shirley lived her life in service to God, her family, and her community. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. As a teacher, she viewed her work as a calling, guiding and nurturing generations of students with patience, compassion, and a Christ-centered heart. Shirley taught for more than 30 years at Tioga Elementary School, serving in both the Title I and Reading Programs, where her quiet strength and generosity left a lasting impact. Shirley was actively involved in Homemakers, her church community, and various local activities. She served as treasurer of Tioga Township for many years. She enjoyed sewing, creating homemade gifts, and crafting—often featuring beautifully painted woodwork pieces made by her husband, Joe. Known for her open heart and welcoming spirit, Shirley maintained an “open house” fondly known as the Breckey Hotel, where family and friends were always welcome. She especially loved entertaining and gathering people together. She is survived by her son, Dennis Breckey (JuLee Brand); her daughter, Alyce Breckey; her granddaughter, Allison Eidson-Breckey; her sisters, Joyce Cervinski and Nancy Boyd; her sisters-in-law, Ruthie McIntyre and Carol Ruhl; and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Helen Brevik; her beloved husband, Joseph Breckey; and many family members who welcomed her into God’s eternal embrace.
Red ID: FND_I_79479 Image ID: 547160 Image Notes: FND001 271984

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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