Shirley E. Zuelsdorff, age 76, of the Town of Pine River, Lincoln County, died Friday, August 24, 2012 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.
Shirley was born on September 15, 1935, in Merrill, daughter of the late Fred and Martha (Kanitz) Vanselow. She married James ‘Jim’ Zuelsdorff on June 21, 1958 at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. He survives. Shirley attended the former Lincoln County Normal Teacher’s College in Merrill. She took her first job teaching at the former Snow Hill School for five years. Shirley then worked as a teacher’s aide at the former Pine River Elementary School for 24 years. She enjoyed bird watching, planting and tending to her flowers, watching the Green Bay Packers, working on crossword puzzles, camping at Upper Gresham Lake, and visiting with her grandchildren. Shirley was proud of the fact that at age 75, she flew in an airplane for the first time. By doing so, she was able to attend her granddaughter’s wedding in Phoenix, AZ.
Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Jim Zuelsdorff, of the Town of Pine River; two daughters, Suzy (Jim) Wilkinson, of Rockford, IL, and Mary (Roy) Leopold, of Merrill; four grandchildren, Becky (Chris) Grunwald, of Gilbert, AZ, Amy (Dave Alex) Ristau, of Chandler, AZ, Lizzie (Matt Harman) Wilkinson, of Rockford, IL, and Nick Wilkinson, of Orangeville, IL; one sister-in-law, Phyllis Zuelsdorff, of Merrill; and one nephew, John ‘Buck’ Zuelsdorff, of Merrill. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Ken Vanselow.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. David Szeto will officiate. Burial will take place at Merrill Memorial Park, Merrill. Visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. Tuesday at church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com