Obit: Simonson, Shirley M. (1937 - 2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Simonson, Seidelmann, Keller, Krasnowski, Heckendorf

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 11/26/2014

Simonson, Shirley M. (29 March 1937 - 18 November 2014)

Shirley M. Simonson, 77, a resident of Greenville died Nov. 18, 2014, in Appleton. She was born the daughter of the late Herbert and Velma (Seidelmann) Keller March 29, 1937, in Neillsville. She graduated from Neillsville High School (1955) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in nursing. She later earned a Master’s degree from UW-Oshkosh in curriculum and instruction.

Shirley married Robert M. Simonson April 6, 1963. After years as a registered nurse, she became a nursing instructor and, eventually, a manager in curriculum development at Fox Valley Technical Institute in Appleton until her retirement in 1997.

At her core, Shirley was a caregiver. She made time to do volunteer respite care for many families in the community and, in her own quiet way, provided help and support to countless people who were in need. Her greatest joy was her family. She was a regular on the bleachers and on the sidelines of every athletic event her husband, kids and grandkids took part in, and she relished the opportunity to create memories with her grandchildren every summer at ‘Grandma Camp.’ She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenville, was a strong supporter of Fox Valley Lutheran High School, and volunteered through Lutheran Social Services in Appleton. She loved music, gardening and organizing anything and everything.

She is survived by her husband Bob; her children, Kristin (Richard) Krasnowski and Erik (Terri) Simonson; and her four grandchildren: Kelsey, Sam, Riley and Simon. She is further survived by her siblings: Larry (Rose) Keller of Neillsville and James (Patricia) Eau Claire; her sister-in-law, Pat Keller of Bloomington, MN; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Kenneth Keller.

A celebration of Shirley’s life was held at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at Immanuel Lutheran Church (W7265 School Road) in Greenville, with Rev. Joel Heckendorf officiating. Visitation was from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Memorials in Shirley’s name can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Wisconsin -- at www.alz.org/gwwi/ 

The Borchardt & Moder Funeral Home in Hortonville served the family.