Shirley J Smith
Shirley J Smith, age 91, died peacefully at home on Sunday, July 14th, 2024 in Stockholm, WI.
Shirley Jean, the daughter of Emil and Lillian was born on July 12th, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois. There, she married her next door neighbor, Norman Smith, on November 8th, 1952. Shirley and Norm had four children, who went on to bless them with many grandchildren and great grandchildren to form the tight-knit “Smith Clan”. They had settled in Oakdale, Minnesota where she took a job at Brown and Bigelow. Following retirement, she took a nanny job, caring for the Sanford twins (Sam and Andy). Once they were grown, she took a position with school district 622, where she continued to work with small children and children with special needs. Her big heart impacted many children, their families and her coworkers throughout her years at Adventure Connection. Shirley enjoyed spending her time with family, playing cards with friends, doing crossword puzzles, and shopping. Shirley and Norm went on to celebrate 64 years of marriage before he sadly passed in 2017. In 2019, she moved to Stockholm, WI to be cared for by family and she resided there until her passing. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Norman; brothers Walter, Charles, Raymond; sister Theresa; granddaughter Seena; as well as many beloved friends.
She is survived in death by her children Linda Smith (Gary Harrington), Russell (Judy) Smith, Bret (Julie) Smith and Sandra (Lewie) Fritze; grandchildren Joshua (Amy), Justin (Tamara), Nicholas (Crystal), Chad (Gina), Zachary, Jesse (Rachelle), Sydney (Travis), and Madeline; great grandchildren Taylor, Xander, Isabel, Hayden, Chloe, Zane, Traz, Jordan, Kat, Declan, Sawyer, Harrison, Jayden, Teagan, Leighton, Eleanor, Amelia, and McKenna; her nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.
Shirley loved her family deeply and will be missed tremendously. Her caring, kind, and loving personality left a lasting impact here on Earth. Certainly, she is now reunited with “Stormin Norman”, her granddaughter Seena, parents, siblings and friends and is doing an Irish jig up in Heaven. She will forever be our guardian angel.
Visitation will be held at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Drive, Woodbury, from 9:00 am - 10:30 am on Tuesday, August 6th, 2024. Funeral service will begin at 10:30 am and luncheon will follow. Burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Avenue S, Minneapolis at 2:00 pm.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand is serving the family.