Shirley A Johansen

My Dear Aunty Shirley. You were my second Mom as I grew up at your home playing with Georgia. I loved spending time with you. One time when Georgia and I were playing, you went upstairs to get something. You came back down with a nylon stocking over your head and chased us around the house. I discovered Hershey syrup at your home and we always enjoyed talking and laughing over vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce. Thank you for sharing with me your faith in God over the years. So glad I had a chance to see you recently before you departed to Heaven and to tell you how much I loved you. We will see each other again and spend eternity with our Lord and each other. Your niece Gladys

I miss you both terribly, but at least you're both together again.

Dearest Aunt Shirley, My world will never again be the same without you in it. You were such an important woman in my life.. I admired you and you were a role model for me. Your beauty, your kindness, your faith, your long and happy marriage to Uncle Ralph. You were only 15 when I was born, and babysat for me often.I remember one story you told me was that I fell out of my high chair under your care and turned black and blue immediately. You were terrified what my Dad would do but when he saw how bad you felt he couldnt be angry. I teased you that you must have given me a push. We were close neighbors during our growing up years and your happy home was a warm and safe harbor for us when escaping our own turbulent home. I have such wonderful memories of dinners with you and Uncle Ralph and Georgia and Debby and later babysitting Don. We made Christmas Cookies and popcorn balls in your kitchen. I visited Reedsburg with you and Uncle Ralph once and remember your letting me have alot of popsicles. You and Mom were the closest of Sisters and we enjoyed so many happy times at Nancy's for holidays and playing cards and bunko. We shared laughter and tears, love and loss. I will greatly miss our phone conversations...your voice..your laugh. I am so happy that Gladys and I were able to see you recently and share hugs and memories and pray together. I was Blessed to have you as my amazing Aunt and I will miss you always, but I know I will see you again at the throne! I Love you, Your niece Sandy

My deepest sympathy in the loss of your wife, mom, and Grandma. Shirley was special in my eyes. The love of Jesus shined radiantly from her with everyone that she came in contact with. I will never forget our friendship we shared over the years because it was Jesus. Rest in peace in the arm's of Jesus. No more suffering and in pain. Thank you Jesus for my sister Shirley. Jan Hanson McMullen

You will be missed so much by everyone. You were like a second mother to me growing up. You took me places with the family. You were always so kind and loving. Love you Shirley. Pat Farris.

If I had to pick Shirl apart, my favorite thing about her was her sense of humor. For a time Julie and I called ourselves two of the funniest people in the world. Not coincidentally I am convinced that this had everything to do with Shirley. Harvest Queen, what was it Ralph? 1948? My teen years were spent roaming the world with Julie. Before, during and after many of our adventures we would land at 322 Evergreen. Shirley would listen intently. Always ask about my family, my mom and grandma, and answer any and all life questions we threw her way. "After all, I was the Harvest Queen." I heard these words and my ears perked up. Did Shirley just say she was the Reedsburg Harvest Queen? Did I hear that right? When I asked her to confirm, she did so both playfully and confident. I thought she could be joking. She was always so humble. I asked her what being harvest queen was all about. "Well, I rode on a parade float and wore a sash. Jul said, "nah uh. Grams, you never told me this before." As Shirley did her words of confirmation all rolled together in a, "mmohyeah," sort of way. Shirl said, "It was me, with my rosebud lips and my willow legs." She really was the Harvest Queen. And I think there was a point that she was proud of it. But you never would have known it. She was telling the truth of her beauty in youth. And laughing with and at us for not knowing she was ever young and beautiful. Us not knowing that we were on the clock. That we wouldn't be young and carefree forever. Like everyone else had to say today, I share the sentiment of how genuine this couple was. An excellent example of true love and commitment. In my whole life, never before has anyone ever so sincerely greeted me. No matter what was going on in their life. No matter how busy, or tired they were. Ralph and Shirley were/are always happy to see me. I've carried this example with me to every child and teenager I meet as an adult. Kids just want to be seen and heard. I credit Shirley with this sterling example. She was an extension of my life long friend Julie. She was one in a million. And unlike the Pastor today, if asked how she does/did it. I think she would have us doubled over in laughter, holding our bellies, with tears of comic genius running from our eyes as she jokingly says, "With me, Neomie they broke the mold. It all just comes so naturally. With my rosebud lips and my willow legs." RIP Shirl! I love you.