Shirley Anderson

Funeral services for Shirley Anderson, of Morris, formerly of Donnelly, Minnesota will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, with Father Todd Schneider celebrating the Mass.  A visitation will be on Friday from 5-7:00 p.m. at the church with stations of the cross at 5:15 p.m. and the Rosary at 7:00 p.m., visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  Burial will be at St. Theresia’s Cemetery in Donnelly.

Shirley A. Anderson died peacefully at her home in Morris on Sunday, March 1, 2020; she was 89 years old.  Shirley Ann Behl was born in Morris, Minnesota, the oldest of seven children, born to Eugene and Evelyn (Galvin) Behl on October 19, 1930.  She was baptized in St. Paul on December 28, 1930 and was confirmed in her faith on June 14, 1942, at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris.  Shirley was raised in Morris where she received her education, graduating with the Morris High School class of 1948. Following high school, she attended Rice Memorial Hospital Nurses’ Training where she earned her LPN license.  Shirley and Richard Anderson of Morris eloped on March 6, 1954 in Ramsey County, Minnesota.  They made their home on a farm one mile west of Donnelly where they farmed and welcomed six children.  Shirley worked as a nurse, at the Morris Hospital and then at the West Wind Village.  Richard preceded Shirley in death in May of 1988.  After being a widow for nearly ten years, She was united in marriage to Byron Holman; they enjoyed life together until Byron’s death in 2010.  She remained on her farm until 2018, when she made her home at Legacy Living in Morris.

Shirley was an active member of St. Theresia’s Catholic Church in Donnelly and was currently a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Morris.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary, the WOW (Widows on Wednesday) group and volunteered at St. Mary’s School.  Shirley enjoyed reading, shopping, traveling, bowling, flower and vegetable gardening, and spending time at the family cabin in Perham.  Shirley was a great baker, especially her cinnamon and caramel rolls. In later years, she loved to watch Hallmark movies.  Most importantly, Shirley cherished the time that she was able to spend with her family.

Shirley is survived by her children: Kathryn (John) Ellenbecker of St. Cloud, Mark Anderson of Donnelly, Sharon Anderson of Morris, and Mary (Mike) Stahn of Morris; daughter-in-law, Jane Lesmeister of Morris; Colleen’s longtime partner, Mike Bertram of Herman; grandchildren: Jesse (Misty) Eystad of Hutchinson, Nic (Tabatha) Lesmeister of Grapevine, TX, Meghan (Bill) O’Keefe of Deephaven, Matt (Lacey) Lesmeister of Fargo, ND, Kristin Tordoff of Baton Rouge, LA, John (fiancé, Emily Burris) Ellenbecker of Minneapolis, Adam (Kendra) Lesmeister of Cottage Grove, Will Ellenbecker of St. Cloud and Sierra Anderson of Minneapolis; great-grandchildren: Cael, Chalee, and Kane Eystad, Naomi, Avi, and Ruth Lesmeister, Vivienne, Colin, and Sylvia O’Keefe, Hadley Lesmeister and Everett Alberty; siblings: Bob Behl of St. Cloud, Mary Groff of Owatonna, Ginny Hoffman of Alexandria, and JoAnne (Dan) Dooley of Hutchinson, and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands: Richard Anderson and Byron Holman; daughters: Jeanne Lesmeister and Colleen Oachs; son-in-law, Jerry Lesmeister; and brothers: Don Behl and Jack Behl.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Stevens County Food Shelf or a charity of your choice.