Shelli Lyn Woodruff

In Loving Memory

July 25, 1953 – October 23, 2026

Born Shelli Lyn Schafer on July 25, 1953, in Rupert, Idaho, and welcomed into Heaven on October 23, 2026, she lived a life filled with creativity, beauty, hard work, and, above all, love. She was deeply loved by her family and friends, and her life was defined by the relationships she cherished, the memories she created, and the countless ways she made others feel special and cared for.

Shelli called the Rupert and Burley, Idaho, area home in her younger years and later moved to the Eagle and Meridian, Idaho, area, building a lifetime of memories, friendships, and family along the way. She graduated in 1971 from Minidoka County High School, where she served on the student council, was on homecoming court, and was captain of the drill team. She was best known for her high kicks, which she touted as one of her many talents. She was also very active in Job's Daughters and held the honor of queen during her time in the program.

Her professional life was as varied and colorful as her many talents. She worked as a florist and decorator, bartender, administrative assistant, event planner, and data analyst, bringing dedication, creativity, and a special touch to every position. She ultimately spent more than 20 years with Intermountain Gas/Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU), working across multiple areas before retiring. She was also known as the resident in-house caterer for workplace events, a role that came naturally to someone whose love language was so often expressed through food. Whether preparing meals for colleagues, contributing to workplace events, or entering cooking competitions, she had a gift for making everything special. No detail was too small, and no occasion was too simple for her to put her heart into it.

Creativity was woven into everything she did. She had a natural eye for beauty and a gift for transforming ordinary things into something extraordinary. Her love of flowers and decorating extended far beyond her own home. She especially cherished her involvement with the Festival of Trees, where her designs and themes earned her numerous awards, accomplishments she was incredibly proud of. She had a remarkable ability to envision something beautiful and bring it to life.

She was fortunate to have lifelong friendships that remained an important part of her life, including dear friends from her high school years and throughout her many years of working. These friendships stood the test of time, and she continued to enjoy getting together for lunch, catching up, sharing stories, and staying connected. She had a wonderful laugh and a way of making time together memorable, whether through a good conversation, a shared meal, or simply enjoying each other's company.

And then there was her own beauty. She was stunning, with the most beautiful, thick auburn hair that was unmistakably hers. But her beauty was just as evident in the way she lived, the things she created, and the love she gave.

She was also an extraordinary cook, a chef in the eyes of many, and there wasn't a cooking show she didn't enjoy. She loved learning, watching, creating, and feeding the people around her. If you were lucky enough to be loved by her, chances are you were also lucky enough to sit down to one of her meals, enjoy a homemade snack or treat, or be surprised with a special birthday dinner prepared just for you. Food was one of the many ways she showed her love, and she made sure those around her felt cared for.

Holidays were her specialty. She believed even the smallest occasion deserved to be celebrated and made memorable. Her home was usually decorated, gifts were wrapped with extraordinary care, and her packages were works of art. She could tie a bow like no other and would spend hours making sure every detail was just right. A holiday falling on a weekday never meant it would be any less of a celebration. She would get up early, before school, to prepare a holiday breakfast for her family. There might be fruit, orange rolls, or sausage strata, and you could almost guarantee that a paper doily or two would find its way into the presentation. Those little details were how she made ordinary mornings feel magical and showed the people she loved just how much they meant to her. She didn't need a holiday or special occasion to make things beautiful; it was simply part of who she was.

She had a soft spot for all things little and cute. If something was small, adorable, or simply caught her eye, she probably needed to bring it home. She also had a special love for cats, each with their own personality and often a name chosen simply because it spoke to her. Her most recent beloved companions were Carl and Carson, both girls despite their rather misleading names. But that was just her way. If she liked a name, that was the name, and there was no need to explain it.

There was also a strength in Shelli that was not always immediately visible, but was unmistakable to those who knew her. She was resilient through difficult and adverse times, carrying herself through challenges with a determination and perseverance that spoke to her character. She didn't always talk about what she was facing or draw attention to the strength it took to get through it. She didn't seek attention or recognition, and her sense of purpose was often quiet. But when she chose to act, her intentions were clear, her commitment was evident, and those who mattered to her knew it. She had a quiet strength that was revealed not in what she said, but in the choices she made and the things she stood behind.

More than anything, Shelli made sure others were taken care of. Even when she was going through difficult times, wasn't feeling well, or wasn't at her best, she found ways to put others first. She remembered the little things, anticipated what people needed, and made sure those around her felt loved. Her thoughtfulness wasn't reserved for special occasions; it was present in everyday life, in a home-cooked meal, a beautifully wrapped gift, a decorated table, a special breakfast, or simply knowing someone needed a little extra care. These were the ways she expressed her love, often without ever needing to say a word.

She leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured by awards, accomplishments, careers, or the beautiful things she created. Her greatest legacy is found in the memories she made, the traditions she established, the people she loved, and the countless ways she made life a little more beautiful for everyone around her.

She is now reunited in Heaven with those who preceded her, and while those she leaves behind will miss her more than words can express, they find comfort in knowing that the love she gave will never leave them.

She is survived by her husband, Harry Woodruff; sister, Cathy Whitaker (spouse, Bruce Whitaker); sister-in-law, Renee Schafer; son, Johnn Hieb; and daughter, Whitney Anderson.

She will be remembered and cherished always by her family and all those fortunate enough to have known and loved her. We will carry forward her traditions, recreate her recipes, decorate for the holidays, make the ordinary extraordinary, and find beauty in the little things, just as she did. We will do everything we can to keep her legacy alive, her memory close, and her love present in our lives.

A beautiful life, a beautiful heart, and a love that will never be forgotten.

Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever in our hearts.

In Her Honor

In keeping with her wishes, Shelli did not want a formal memorial service. Instead, her close family will be making plans for a small, intimate celebration of life in 2027, providing an opportunity to come together, share memories, reflect on her life, and honor the special place she will forever hold in their hearts. Additional details will be shared with family as plans are made.

Remembering Her in Little Ways

For those who wish to honor her memory in their own way, we encourage you to do something that reminds you of her. Buy yourself flowers, make a favorite recipe, decorate for a holiday, tie a beautiful bow, spoil a cat, watch a cooking show, or find something little and cute that makes you smile. Make an ordinary day feel special, create something beautiful, or do something thoughtful for someone else.

Most of all, remember her in the little things, because those were often the things she made the most special.