Shirley Joan Troy

STOUGHTON - Shirley Joan Troy, age 87, of Stoughton, Wis., died Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, in the gentle and loving care of those at Skaalen’s Magnolia Gardens Memory Care. Shirley will be laid to rest at the Winnebago Cemetery in Winnebago, Ill. In remembrance and thanksgiving for Shirley, please join her family in prayer. Holy God, we thank you for giving us this wonderful person, Shirley, who graciously accompanied us in the joys and sorrows of life. Now we trust in you to fulfill your promises. Keep Shirley in the company of your saints and raise her up to share all the joys of salvation. For we have been told, as in First Corinthians, “We will not all die, but we will be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet...then the saying that is written will be fulfilled.” Death has been swallowed up in victory! In Jesus’ name, Amen Shirley Joan Albertus was born Oct. 21, 1933, the oldest child of Ethel McComb and John Albertus. At the time of Shirley's birth, her parents were farming in rural McHenry County, Ill. By 1945, Shirley’s parents were farming near Byron, Ill., and three more daughters had been added to their family, June, Jean, and Phyllis. Shirley loved to tell of the many wonderful hikes that she had exploring the countryside with her sisters, and she cherished their companionship throughout her life. Shirley attended Leaf River High School, graduating in 1951. She was an honor roll student, student senate officer, and participated in chorus and Future Homemakers. After graduation, Shirley was employed as a bookkeeper for Ranier Pharmacy in Rockford, Ill. She met Stanley Duane Troy shortly after he returned from three years in the Korean War. She agreed to their first date only because it involved squirrel hunting, and she could carry her own gun. She knew Stan was going to be a character from the start. In fact, on the day that he took her to pick out their wedding rings, he proved her right once again, when he jumped into the car with the diamond, waved goodbye, and left her standing on the curb. Stan and Shirley were married May 20, 1956. Shirley and Stan were partners in life. They moved to Stoughton in 1965. Shirley continued to use her bookkeeping skills to manage their properties and their heating business. Besides being a wife and mother, Shirley, worked at Walmart and spent her spare time sewing expertly crafted clothes for herself. Stan and Shirley were active members of their church and took comfort in their faith. She loved her family, her home, her gardens, her cats, and travelled when she could. She talked often of the Amtrak trip that she took with Stan, the companion tour to Norway with the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers, and her yearly trips with her sister, June. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and was a widow for over thirty years, losing Stan, on Jan. 3, 1991. She is survived by her son, Chad, and his family. Shirley was a proud grandmother of three grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She loved going to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s events. She relished watching them learn and grow. She is also survived by her three sisters and many nieces and nephews. The many Christmases and holidays spent together were special memories for her. She always loved hearing about the next steps in their lives. A special thank you to Shirley’s neighbors who watched out for her all those years after Stan’s death. Especially those that let the family know when she had her ladder out and was on the roof again. Also, thank you to all who cared for Shirley for the last four years at the Gardens. There are too many people to mention, but a special thank you goes out to Delores and Michael, who were with her from her first days at the Gardens. She was so blessed to have you in her life! Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Stoughton Funeral & Cremation Care 1358 Hwy 51 N. (608) 873-4590