Live Well – Laugh Often – Love Much

“Shirley Ann Klawitter will be fondly remembered as a member the Christian Aid and Relief family. Her Christ-like servant attitude was an inspiration to everyone she met and touched. Her Christian light shown bright in her days here on earth and is shining even brighter now in heaven. We both mourn her passing with Darryl and rejoice with him in her journey’s end to her eternal home with Christ.” Mark Vance – WELS Christian Aid and Relief, Director of Operations. Shirley Ann Klawitter of Centuria, Wis., died, unexpectedly at her home on Thursday the 27th of Feb. 2014. She was 68 years old. Shirley, who was fondly called “Chester” by her loving husband Darryl, “Mrs. K.” by her many, many cherished students and “Grandma-at-the-farm” by her grand daughters, was born Aug. 25th, 1945 in Hillsboro, Wis., to her parents, Harold and Leilah Leak. When Shirley was a small child she lived in Kendall, Wis., with her mother, father and siblings: Roger, Duane, Bobby, Sherry and David. When Shirley was seven years old she was stricken with Polio, which required her to be admitted to St. Francis Hospital in Lacrosse, Wis.After receiving treatment, she was unable to return home to her family because she was unable to walk to the country school in Kendall. This unfortunate circumstance required her to live in Lacrosse, Wis., with her foster family, Dallas and Arness Miller, who she remained in contact with through her life. At the start of high school in 9th grade, Shirley was able to return home to the farm in Kendall and rode the school bus to High School in nearby Hillsboro. She received her diploma in 1963. After high school graduation, Shirley once again left the farm, this time to attend college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in 1967. While attending UW-River Falls, Shirley had a roommate named Cheryl Klawitter, who had a brother named Darryl. Darryl, who was newly discharged from the U.S. Navy, was quite taken with Shirley and they were married on Aug. 2nd, 1969 at Saint Matthews Lutheran Church in Ontario, Wis. Together they had one son, Kirk, and one daughter, Annette. Shirley’s life long passion as a teacher began as a substitute for the St Croix Falls and Unity school districts in Wisconsin. Shirley retired from the St Croix Falls School District with 34 years of service as a teacher. She left her wonderful thumbprint on many, many young people and helped shape many lives. In addition to her career as an educator Shirley was a full time farm wife, mother, foster mother, day care provider and grandmother. Shirley enjoyed crafting, sewing, cooking, baking and facebook. Shirley is survived by her husband Darryl of Centuria, Wis, her son Kirk Klawitter and his wife Glenn Hoffman of Pensacola, Fla, and her daughter Annette Nesius and her husband Sam of Fargo, N.D. Shirley is also survived by her step grandson Coe and his wife Liz Hoffman and step granddaughter Scotti Hoffman, all of Pensacola, Fla., her granddaughters Michaela Ann Nesius and Davin Rae Nesius of Fargo, N.D. and lastly her step great grandsons Noah and Luke Hoffman of Pensacola, Fla. Her siblings Duane Leak of Maustin, Wis, David Leak of LaValle, Wis. and Sherry Shields of Richland Center, Wis. also survive Shirley. Her brothers Donald, Roger and Bobby Leak preceded Shirley in death. Shirley’s funeral was held at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 14940 62nd St N. Stillwater, Minn. Shirley Ann Klawitter had a sign in her kitchen that read as follows: “Live Well – Laugh Often – Love Much” and that’s exactly what she did.