Shelly Dawn Redding Wangsgaard

Shelly Dawn Wangsgaard passed away peacefully, after an extended illness in her home. Her final wish was to be home in comfortable surroundings with her loved ones. She was granted that honor and humbly left this life to return to the loving arms of her Heavenly Father.

On October 15, 1952, in Peoria, Illinois Shelly was welcomed into this world by Francis and Andria Redding. Shelly and her family moved to Elk Grove California when she was 13. Shelly met one of her lifelong friends Lori Samuels. Shelly worked in the tomato fields in California with her mother Andria. 

Shelly had a strong bond with her sisters Faye, Debbie, Vikki, Kim and her older brothers Tommy, Jerry, Robert, and Frances Jr., and all the sisters spoiled their baby brother Paul Edwin. She would tell us stories about her childhood and teenage years with so much detail you felt as if you were there. Some of the fights the siblings had and how they would make up soon after. When any of her siblings were sad or suffering, they were known to rally together to offer support and comfort. One thing to remember is even when they were mad at each other, they still showed up! 

Shelly and her family moved up to Canada in the early 70’s. Shelly met her first husband Don Despain Callahan, they were sealed in the Cardston Alberta Temple. Don and Shelly later moved to Oregon where Shelly met Shirely and Papa Woods. They quickly became the best of friends; they were considered grandparents to her children. When they passed away it was extremely hard for Shelly and her family. She also met Betty Cooper, and her daughter Rhonda Cooper. Rhonda and Shelly will always have a connection. Shelly loved spending time with Betty and Rhonda, she loved her time in Oregon. Shelly became a mom for the first time at the age of 19 to Bryan Scott, and 2 years later Andria Dawn, born while in Oregon. A few years later, in Utah, she welcomed her daughter Erin Heather, son Zachariah Seth, and then Boomer - Jessica Haley Brynn as her last baby girl. She moved to Wyoming before Andria started school. During this time, she earned her license to become a school bus driver. She had many friends Audrey Ellis held a special place in her heart. Shelly and Don lived close to her sister Faye and Bob, and brother Francis Jr, and her brother Paul Edwin. Her sister Vikki and Jerry lived close by and would spend time together, with all the cousins playing. Shelly loved sewing and would make matching outfits for her daughters to wear to church and school. She even entered the Ward talent contest in Kemmerer and won. Shelly loved quilting blankets for people in her home with sisters from the ward, while her children played under the big quilts. Don and Shelly later divorced in the mid-80s. 

After her divorced Shelly and her five children moved back to Utah, she lived a few miles from her sister Debbie. Shelly worked as the Nutrition Manager for Smith’s Grocery Store. She became friends with Maureen Fynbo, Reenie was a much-needed friend for Shelly, she was fun and always made us feel loved. As the common theme in Shelly’s life Reenie is still a dear friend. When you became friends with Shelly, it was for life. She cherished each of her friends. 

Shelly later married Paul Stanley Wangsgaard on January 1, 1990. Paul had two children from a previous marriage, Brandon and Tiffany Lynn, and with Shelly's five children, it was a busy house for seven children. Bryan, her oldest son, was diagnosed with Autism at an early age. Having a child with special needs had challenges, she handled it with courage and compassion. Shelly was Bryan’s biggest advocate. Shelly loved her family with all her heart. Paul served in the National Guard and would be stationed for different lengths of time; she missed him, and it was hard for both, but they remained strong. Shelly devoted as much of her time to her children, friends, and church callings as she faced health struggles. 

Paul and Shelly went on many adventures together, she loved visiting her in-laws Pauline and Stanley and loved her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. She loved laughing with family, telling stories and making people laugh. She had a way to divert the attention away from her illness and make everyone feel seen and loved. Some of her favorite trips were to the Huntsville family cabin, camping trips to Jordanelle, hunting and fishing, and going to Washington D.C. to visit museums. She looked forward to the Wangsgaard Thanksgiving and Christmas parties, it was important for her to attend, and during the last few years her health made it hard for her to. Paul and Shelly had a lot of fun together and in their early years loved going on dates, just taking long drives, and spending time together. Shelly was proud of Paul for his work in the military. 

Shelly loved music and loved to dance. She would listen to records and dance with her children and her sisters. She has friends that she was still in contact with, from her teenage years. She loved spending time with her children, decorating for holidays, making cookies and being a mom. Paul and Shelly moved to Henefer where she made many friends. When Shelly got sick, she did not want to burden anyone and had often given to her friends, children, and grandchildren, even if she was not feeling well. She had a deep love for Paul, and at times it was hard for her to lean on him for emotional support. She did not want to burden him or her children. Shelly made many dear friends who remained with her for decades, in her last years of life Jodi Brown was by her side as a dear friend and caretaker. Jodi and Shelly were friends for over twenty years. 

Shelly knew all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was involved in their lives as much as she could be. She would Facetime them, send birthday cards to them that she personally picked out, call, and check up on them, they were her greatest joy, and she leaves behind a long legacy. Shelly would tell each of her grandchildren that they were her favorite and then tell the same to the other ones. She loved calling each of her children on their birthday telling them the story of their birth. She would leave voice messages of her singing Happy Birthday. They all felt extremely loved and cherished. Shelly loved her daughter-in-law, Jaime; she was grateful to know her son Zachariah was loved by such a beautiful soul. She loved her son-in-law Kevin, she felt he was like a son to her. Shelly loved that her daughter-in-law Caryn lived close by and enjoyed her visits. Shelly loved attending the Temple, she would try and go to the open houses and would get excited to see the different ones. She had a strong testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and loved sharing her views with family and friends. 

Shelly is survived by her husband, Paul Stanley Wangsgaard; Paul and Shelly’s stepchildren, Brandon Paul Wangsgaard (Caryn) and Jeremy Shaffer, Rya and Jacob, Tiffany Lynn (Noah) and their children, Nathan, and Camden; Shelly’s children, Bryan Scott Callahan, Andria Dawn Henrie (Kevin), with their four children Kaleb K. Henrie (Mary), Asha-Lynn, JeriLynn, and Shilo Rue; Megan Kay Henrie with Owen James, and June Carter, Carter K. Henrie (Angie) Carter Victoria, and Daniel Anejandro, and Colton K. Henrie (Charlotte); Erin Heather with her five children Conagher Chance Edward, Seth Despain Edward, Victoria Rae Dawn, Sariah, and Christopher James. Zachariah Seth Callahan (Jaime); Jessica Haley Brynn Callahan and four children Kaden James, Bentley Brynn, Sarahica Faye, and Isabella Elenor. Shelly is survived by 7 children, 21 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Shelly is also survived by her brother, Thom (Jeanni) Miller; sister, Elizabeth (Jerry) David; sister, Deborah Fulmer; and sister, Kimberly (Linwood) Green. She has numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins she loved and reached out to. She wass preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Andria Redding; her sister, Faye; brothers, Robert, Jerry, Francis Jr, and Paul Edwin. 

We would like to thank IHC Hospice Care Clinic, all her hospice nurses that helped with her final days. We would also like to thank the Wound Clinic at McKay Dee Hospital as well as the many neighbors and friends from Henefer that stopped in to help cheer her up, and bring meals to the family. Sharon Deardon had many surprise visits from Bryan, barging in her house to get her to come and help her out. Finally, we would like to thank Jodie Brown for her dedication to helping our mother to be able to stay home, her support is appreciated beyond measure. We appreciate everyone who has reached out and shared stories about our mother; she truly lived life to the fullest, even in her last days, she kept a positive attitude, she suffered, and we knew it. 

We love you and will remember you as a strong warrior who would not surrender. You taught each of us to love unconditionally, and how to be a homemaker. You will be missed by so man

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025. at 11 a.m. at the Henefer 2nd Ward Chapel, 708 North Main Street. Friends may visit with family on Friday Evening  from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church.  Interment, Henefer Cemetery. 

ORDER VIDEOS