Shirley I. Kuehn of Wausau WI died on August 5, 2018 at of age of 84.
Shirley (Burgener) Kuehn formerly of Merrill was born December 16, 1933, in the township of Schley in Lincoln County, Wisconsin to Herman Jr. and Violet (Vanderford) Burgener. She attended Maple Grove and Heller Schools graduating from eighth grade in 1947. In 1951 Shirley graduated from Merrill High School. She also took accounting courses at Northcentral Technical College in the 1970’s.
She married Richard R. Kuehn June 5, 1954 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Doering, Wisconsin. They resided in Merrill. Richard and Shirley built a new home just north of Merrill on Pier Street in 1956. There they raised their family. After 50 years they moved to a smaller home in Rib Mountain due to Shirley’s failing eyesight.
Shirley began working in the Weinbrenner shoe office immediately after graduation. She worked for Weinbrenner’s for six years and then for four years she was a stay at home mom. In January of 1962 Shirley started working at Merrill Manufacturing in the office. Shirley retired as an Accountant in the fall of 1998. She also was the bookkeeper for Richard R. Kuehn & Sons for 20 years. After retiring from Merrill Manufacturing, she later worked part time at a small accounting office in Wausau, also as a receptionist at Aspirus Hospital and then full time as an order entry clerk in sales at Marathon Electric Corporation until March 2007.
In the spring of 1957 Richard and Shirley transferred from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Doering to Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill. Shirley was active in the PTA at Trinity School and the PTA stunt nights, she served on the evangelism and stewardship boards and also on several fund-raising committees including the new narthex addition to Trinity Lutheran Church. She served four years as treasurer for the Town of Merrill.
She has two sons, James (Ann) Kuehn of Madison and Thomas (Donna) Kuehn of Tomahawk. She has eight Grandchildren, James Konyn, Daniel (Kaori) Praschak, Jennifer (Josh) Lone, Carly Kuehn (Chris Widmer), Nathan Kuehn (Kellie McGavock), Alex Kuehn, Ryan Kuehn (Nathan Self) and Claire Kuehn; and eight great-grandchildren, Jerrissa, Jerrick and Mason Konyn, Sierra Lane, Julian Eldredge, Nathan Grogan, Lucas and Jacob Lone.
Six siblings, William (Marilyn) Burgener of Merrill, Betty Loeffler of Ponca City, OK, Connie (LeRoy) Fischer, John (Sharon) Burgener, Rodney (Lynn) Burgener all of Merrill and Mary (Russ) Jicinsky of Auburndale, WI; and many nieces and nephews. Shirley wanted to recognize Sally Ritter as an honoree sister for all of her love and support.
Preceded her in death a daughter, Sharon Bergman; her parents; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Helen and Bill Steidtman; brothers-in-law, Matthew Loeffler, William Kuehn and John Kuehn; and nephews Eugene Steidtman, Billy Steidtman and Carl Kuehn.
Shirley loved writing poems and story’s. She also loved sending cards to family and friends. She was a people person. Her greatest joy and blessings were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Shirley & Richard also traveled to many states visiting relatives and friends and just sight-seeing.
Shirley’s funeral will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. Lay Minister Robert Schneider will officiate. Burial will take place at Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery, Merrill. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 7th at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and after 9:30 A.M. Wednesday, August 8th at the church. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.