Shirley Sharleene Malecha, 75 of Rochester, Minnesota went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, June 18, 2021, at Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home.
Shirley was born on November 25, 1945 in Cando, North Dakota to Alfred and Ruby Odegaard. Shirley attended school in Egeland, North Dakota and eventually receiving her GED in 1983. In her youth, Shirley worked in her parent’s merchant’s store. Shirley was a loving mother to two girls Tonja Sue Odegaard of Zumbrota, MN and Michelle Miller of Stewartville, MN. In 1984 Shirley married Robert Leo Malecha and gained another young daughter Teri Malecha of Ohio. The Malecha’s shared 37 years of love and laughter until Robert’s passing in 2019. The Malecha’s loved to go fishing, play bingo, have cook outs with family, and enjoying time with their children and grandchildren. One thing Shirley had was a “nose” for spotting a garage sale and she always had to stop and see if she could spot a bargain. Shirley also loved to do puzzles, paint (you could always find her favorite purple butterflies in her paintings), play scrabble with her partner in crime at Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home Miss Phyllis, and more than anything she loved singing to her Lord. It wasn’t unusual to see Shirley in her chair with her eyes closed singing to God. Shirley was a member of Rochester Baptist Church and enjoyed spending time with her sisters and brothers in Christ whenever she was able to do so.
Mrs. Malecha is preceded in death by her parents Ruby Alice Peterson and Alfred Edward Odegaard, brothers Randal Peter Odegaard and Charles Edward Odegaard, husband Robert Leo Malecha, and Cousin Paulette Hamdam.
Shirley was blessed to have 5 grandchildren, Baily Jo Miller of Rochester, MN, Cali Charleene Miller of Rochester MN, Tyler Lejcher of Zumbrota, MN, Brady Burzette of Rochester, MN, and Te’a Sue Odegaard-Burzette of Stewartville, MN, and 2 great grandchildren Alyana Kinsleigh Cox and Geneva Noelle Garrison.
Mrs. Malecha’s family wishes to thank our sisters and brothers in Christ at Rochester Baptist Church for all their prayers during our mother and grandmother’s illness, as well as Samaritan Nursing Home for their loving care throughout her stay. And we would also like to give a big thank you to Season’s Hospice for their loving care for the last several weeks of her journey home to her Lord.
Rochester Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences of Shirley may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort during this difficult time.
The last few days of our mom’s life were hard to watch.As we sat with her,the memories that we shared were like a movie playing in my mind.Mom and I had a hard time my whole life seeing eye to eye,but the one thing that gives me peace is knowing that we always knew how much we loved one another.I will miss her deeply but know that one day,we will all be together again.I love you mom!All the way to Heaven and back!!!My heart hurts but my mind rests knowing that you have no more pain.Spread your beautiful wings mom!
We are so deeply sorry for your loss. May Shirley rest in peace and her loving family hold her precious memories close through this difficult time.
Another bright star in the sky. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you begin the grieving process. Hugs from FL for all of you.
I don’t know what to say or how to say goodbye to the woman who gave me all that I needed to become the woman I am today. Like my sister Michelle said seeing mom struggle the last week of her life was very difficult, but I wouldn’t have been anywhere else. My mother was strict with us girls as she called us, but it made us into brave and strong women. Mom I am going to miss our late night phone calls, our brain teaser games we did on the phone, praying with you on the phone, hearing about your scrabble games with Phyliss, and seeing your beautiful face when I could come and see you. There is one things that I won’t miss and that is ordering you 8 12 packs of A & W Root beer just so Hy-Vee would deliver it..(LOL), I sure hope heaven has Root beer. You were the best mom to Michelle and I, we knew you struggled to give us what we needed. You worked 2 jobs just so we had school clothes and supplies. I remember you going and cutting off Levi tags at department stores and sewing them on our Wrangler jeans so kids in school wouldn’t make fun of us. That was you mom, anything to make sure “your girls” were ok. So mom, thank you for loving me, for giving me confidence, forgiving me strength, and for giving me the love of our Lord. I know without a doubt that is where you are at this minute, and someday when Jesus calls me home, I want you to be there to give me a hug.I love you to heaven and back mom. love tootie
Your wonderful Mom is the sweetest. She was always smiling. I enjoyed our visits when she and Pops would pick you up after work. Take care my dear friend. I pray for you.
Thinking of you all and rejoicing that Mom Shirley is sweetly reunited with her Saviour, her hubby, her mother and precious others who’ve gone on before. Thank you Lord for heaven, our true home beyond the cares, worries and troubles of this world. There is truly coming a day where no heartache shall prevail and no tears shall fall. Our love to you each and all. Rochester Baptist Church and the Noonans.
God Bless you all – special hugs to my neighbor, Michelle and family.
I simply have a few words to say about my cousin Shirley. I n her early days she had a lot of hardships with her Mom my Aunt Ruby and Uncle Bud. But through finding her Lord Jesus, Shirley changed ( for the best) I must say. Oh yeh she had her ups and downs just like any normal person does. I believe when she meant Robert (husband) he turned her world up side down. Now Shirley had happiness and she enjoyed life. I have a story to tell when she came out to Tioga, ND where her Aunt Millie lived. I don’t suppose many remember the song loco motion. Well her Shirley is teaching us girls how to do the as if this wan’t enough she tought us how to the Jerk. We all had fun learning from her. Tonja, Michelle and your families I know it isthe hardest thing to say good bye to your Mom. I know she is with Uncle Bud, Aunt Ruby, Randy my mom Millie martin and so many more. We will alwaysmiss her but we have all the great memories so close tous. don’t ever forget the memories. i know I won’t. Rest In Pease Shirel
Sorry to here about Shirley and Ruby I seen them at cottage wood a short time ago I sure never knew Shirley was ill she was a wonderful friend and neighbor always remember girls the lord never gives you more than you can handle and you will see her again she helped me through the tough times when I lost Jayne hang in there and take care!!
It was truly a privilege to care for Shirley while she was at Samaritan Bethany! I will miss her laugh and our conversations. Sympathies to you, Tonya and Michelle. You had a very special mom!