Shirley Pauline (Gauer) Yagues

Shirley Pauline Yagues, 95, of Idaho Falls, passed away May 24, 2025, at her home. She was under the care of Aspen Hospice.

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Shirley Pauline (Gauer) Yagues, beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother and Friend on May 24, 2025, at the age of 95.

Shirley passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family and under the care of Aspen Home Health and Hospice in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was born January 24, 1930 in Hollywood, California, and was the youngest of four children. Raised in Hollywood, she attended Catholic school until Junior high, graduating from Hollywood High School.

Shirley had a passion for horses and acting, appearing in numerous plays during high school and her year at USC, until she landed a job at Merrill Lynch in Los Angeles, starting off her lengthy career in bookkeeping.

On a ski trip to Reno in 1958, she met her future husband, Don Yagues of Rupert, Idaho, and it was love at first sight. They had fraternal twins, Kevin and Scott, and then two years later their daughter, Donalee, and they lived those early years in Pleasanton, California. In 1976, they moved to Idaho Falls where Don opened Automotive Springs and Overload and Shirley served as bookkeeper. His sons later joined him in the business with Kevin expanding to open Auto Springs in Boise as well.

Shirley was vivacious and had an adventurous spirit, traveling throughout Europe on over a a dozen trips, many with her daughter. She also enjoyed years of camping and fishing trips in her and Don's motor home with their family and friends, playing her favorite game, Mahjong, and drinking her cherished Pepsi.

She enjoyed cooking and entertaining for her family and friends. She eventually went back to work at Merrill Lynch in the Idaho Falls branch, until she retired in 1997.

After Don passed in 2015, Shirley spent her days gardening, doing crossword puzzles and caring for her dogs, including most recently Wiley, whom she adopted from the local animal shelter and loved dearly. She also attended mass and donated to Christ the King Catholic Church in Idaho Falls.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Dorothea Gauer; her three siblings; her beloved husband, Don Yagues; and her wonderful son, Kevin Yagues.

Her legacy lives on as she is survived by her son, Scott Yagues of Idaho Falls, Idaho; her daughter, Donalee Jolna of Newport Beach, California; her daughter-in-law, Shelly Yagues of Boise, Idaho; her sister-in-law, Mona Schorzman of Boise, Idaho; her sister-in-law, Carolyn Draney of Moses Lake, Washington; and her four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, who brought immense love and light into her life.

Although Shirley will be sadly missed, we are celebrating her wonderful life and encourage all who attend the funeral to come with your favorite "Shirley story" in honor of our Mom.

The family will greet friends on Friday, June 27, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. prior to the service at 11:00 a.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Ave, Idaho Falls. Burial will follow at the Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.