Shirley Ann Hedberg Graham

Shirley Ann Hedberg Graham, 94, passed into the arms of Jesus her Savior on Sunday, August 10, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Born in Duluth, Minnesota to Swedish immigrants August Hedberg and Anna Turnquist, Shirley grew up in Two Harbors, Minnesota. She was active in her church at an early age, and participated in Youth for Christ rallies. She attended Bethel College in St. Paul for one year, and then transferred to UMD where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics. In 1955, she married Richard Graham, who worked for the City of Duluth Engineering Department. Richard preceded her in death in 1995.

Shirley taught Home Economics at East High School in Duluth for 22 years and retired from full-time teaching at the age of fifty-five but continued to work as a substitute teacher. She sewed most of her own clothes, was skilled at knitting, crocheting, and all needlework and loved decorating and entertaining, as well as hosting many people in her home for meals and overnight stays and was considered by some to be the “Queen of Hospitality” at her church, Lakeside Baptist in Duluth. She was proud of her Swedish heritage, and active in the Swedish Cultural Society, receiving an award of Merit from the Swedish Council of America. She also was a volunteer with Sister Cities International and was involved with the Växjö Sweden Sister Cities Commission and sang in a local Swedish choir.  Surviving is her son, Bruce, a violist with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, daughter-in-law Debra, also a violist, a granddaughter, Catherine, grandson in law Miguel, and great-granddaughter Tziporah.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 23 from 10AM until the 11:00 AM Funeral Service in Dougherty Funeral Home. 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55805. 218-727-3555.