MADISON - Shirley M. Andersen, age 78, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Belmont Nursing Home. She was born on October 10, 1947, in Rice Lake, the daughter of Sherben and Gerda (Nussbaum) Gunderson.

Shirley graduated from Wausau Senior High School in 1966. She dedicated her career to caring for others, starting as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for several organizations and ending her vocational journey in the medical supply industry.

Shirley had a special fondness for collecting elephants… living, breathing, gigantic elephants and also found joy in ceramics. She was an avid reader who appreciated a good book, especially a delightful romance novel. Everyone was nurtured in her midst, no strays were left hungry or alone on Thanksgiving. If you didn’t have a family to join for the holiday, her table was always open. She was kind. She was unwaveringly positive. She was wonderful.

Shirley is survived by her sons, Brian Brech and Shane Andersen; granddaughters, Miko Jobst and Jenii Quiyote; great-grandson, Haku Matthews; sister, Terry (Craig) Gunderson Shulta; brother, Gregory Gunderson; nieces and nephew, Krista, Michelle, Ericka, Braeden, Arianna, and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Tyrone Gunderson, Marlys Matuszak and Yvonne Gunderson.

A celebration of life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, she would rather a donation be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for their continued research in finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease (give.michaeljfox.org).

The family wishes to thank the staff at Belmont Nursing Home for their care given to Shirley. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Shirley Marie Andersen

October 10, 1947 - June 30, 2026

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