Shirley Mae Shirley

Shirley Mae Shirley, née Biesterfeld, age 84 of Neshkoro, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Our House Senior Living in Wisconsin Dells. Born on July 16, 1941 to Ethel Faye (Piedlow) and Roy Oliver Biesterfeld in Elgin, Illinois, she was baptized on December 21, 1941 at the Medinah Baptist Church in Medinah and raised in Schaumburg. In 1960 she married John Edward Shirley Jr., and together they raised three children.

A devoted stay-at-home mother who also provided childcare for others, Shirley later worked as a secretary, a certified nursing assistant, and finally as a licensed practical nurse. She was a warm and loving person who cherished time with her family, basked in the sun, and delighted in baking cookies with her grandchildren. She found joy in crocheting, creating doilies and blankets for friends and loved ones, and was dearly loved by all who knew her.

Shirley is survived by two children, John III (Quinn) Shirley and Jenny (Todd) Virch; seven grandchildren, Christopher (Jen) Virch, Jessica (Dylan) Virch, Sara (Evan) Pickens, Christina Shirley, Joseph (Charbel) Harjung, Samuel (Tessa) Shirley, and Mary Shirley; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John Shirley Jr., her daughter Deborah Billington, and other relatives.