Shirley Ann Duesler

Shirley Ann Duesler

March 31, 1935 - January 31, 2022

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Obituary

BARNEVELD/MIDDLETON - Shirley A. (Ash) Duesler passed away peacefully in her sleep early on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, at Unity Point / Meriter Hospital in Madison.    She died of natural causes after a brief illness and congestive heart failure.  Shirley was born on March 31, 1935, graduated from Barneveld High School in 1954, took community college classes, and worked for the State of Wisconsin.


Shirley was an avid artist, farmer, and real estate investor throughout her life.  She was also known for painting or drawing many of her friends’ pets and landscapes in recent years.


She was preceded in death in 1993 by her high school sweetheart and husband, Thomas F. Duesler, who was an Executive Vice President for Oscar Mayer / Kraft Foods.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Marlyn Ash of Barneveld.


Shirley is survived by her daughter, Connie (Ed) Smidebush; son, Brad (Diane) Duesler; and daughter, Jody Duesler (Jim) Albus.  She is also survived by her grandchildren: Leigh (John-Luke) Fredericks, Reed Smidebush, Zach (Jenna) Duesler, Emily (Jeff) Jasinowski, Kati (Brian) Keane, Tom (Jess) Reichert, and Nicole Duesler.


Shirley also had 10 great-grandchildren: Dylan, Bentley and Levi Duesler, Mason, Arlo and Ezra Jasinowski, Finn and Elle Fredericks, and Ryan and Dax Reichert.


She is also survived by her two sisters, Lorraine Pells and Betty (Fantus) Cox; and her sister-in-law, Elsie Jane (Jack) Murphy.


Together with Tom, they lived in various areas around the United States opening sales territories for Oscar Mayer / Kraft Foods, and travelled the world in retirement.  Shirley was an accomplished card player with bridge clubs, winning euchre, poker, and blackjack tournaments.  She also managed a beef cattle operation, and trained at artificial insemination and pregnancy checking on their family farm.  She loved the outdoors, deer hunting, fishing, and was a loyal Packers and Badgers fan.


A celebration of life will be held at BARNWOOD EVENTS, 3230 Larsen Road, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2022. We will be having an art exhibit of Shirley’s artwork- please bring an art piece from Shirley if you have one to display.


Donations can be made to the Cardinal View Senior Living facility at 3820 Tribeca Lane, Middleton, WI 53562, which was her new home prior to her hospitalization. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761





Events

27
Celebration of Life
Fri May 27, 2022 @ 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT
Barnwood Events • 3230 Larsen Rd, Madison, WI 53711
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Memories

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Shirley
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Mary Ann Myers
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Shirley lived life to the fullest! I will cherish always the many, many good times we shared---in high school, trips to visit in California, and endless events back here in Wisconsin. Priceless!!
MJ
Mary Jensen
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When I first started playing bridge at Bishop's Bay there were so many women and so many names to learn. Well, Shirley's was certainly one of the first I had down. She was such a vital, larger than life personality. But also she was welcoming and so much fun. She will be sorely missed around the bridge table and everywhere else as well. Mary Jensen
JC
John Carrier
Other •
I got to know Shirley when she lived at Cardinal View Senior Living in Middleton, Wisconsin. I loved her Art work and the times we had dinner together. She was a very friendly Lady and a good Euchre player. I will miss her. Blessings, John Carrier in apartment #434.
KH
Kathryn Hartman
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Shirley “Gram” Duesler was a beautiful soul and felt like a Gram to me. She welcomed me into her home and I have many fond memories of her along with her Granddaughter Leigh- eating breakfast at her favorite San Clemente cafe, playing Euchre at her table for hours, and a few late casino nights. She loved to laugh, never took herself too seriously and always put her family first. The world has lost a beautiful soul. Sending big hugs to the Duesler family. Rest In Peace Gram.
ND
Nicole Duesler
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Ann Chase Smith
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REMEMBRANCE OF SHIRLEY DUESLER As the fifth of six McCann children, all of us first cousins of Tom and Elsie Jane Duesler, I spent many summers at the Duesler family farm as well as at the farm of our Uncle Ralph Thoni. I remember a very snowy trip in brother Rick’s small car from Cleveland to Barneveld for Tom and Shirley’s wedding. Uncle Ralph became impatient with their very long, passionate kiss when they were announced as man and wife. Sitting next to him, I recall him saying, under his breath, “Tom, get on with it!” 13 at the time, I was of courses romantically enthralled. I heard of Shirley’s exploits: killing deer with a bow and arrow, being a very accomplished, strong outdoor woman, helping Tom with his career. In later years, as a teenager, I remember taking care of her first daughter, Connie, a toddler at the time. When Tom died unexpectedly, Shirley asked me to sing at his memorial service. It was a moving, emotional day for all of us. Rest in peace, Cousin Shirley, Ann McCann Chase

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