Marvin and Shirley Wirtjes

Memorial Services for Marvin and Shirley Wirtjes will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Morris. Officiating will be Reverend Emmy Swedlund. A visitation will take place Friday, November 11, 2022 at Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. as well as an hour prior to services on Saturday.

Shirley Ann Staton, daughter of Melvin and Marcella (Logan) Staton, was born January 11, 1943 in Benson, Minnesota.  She was baptized March 14, 1943 at Church of St. Francis in Benson.  Shirley grew up and attended school in Benson, graduating from Benson High School in 1961.  She was united in marriage to Marvin Wirtjes on September 16, 1961 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Morris.  Following their marriage, Shirley and Marvin lived in Morris before making their home on a farm West of Morris, where they raised their two daughters Debbie and Terri. Shirley was a stay at home mom and later worked as a secretary at the ASCS office in Morris until her retirement.  Shirley and Marvin continued to live in Morris until the time of their passing.

Shirley enjoyed gardening, fishing, making baby blankets for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, doing puzzle books, going to the casino and watching her favorite soap opera – Days of Our Lives. Shirley and Marvin loved to travel and spent many winters in Arizona and visiting their daughter Debbie in Georgia.  Most of all, they loved spending time with their family, especially their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Shirley and Marvin passed away Friday, November 4, 2022 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Shirley was 79 and Marvin was 81.

Shirley is survived by two daughters: Debbie Fehr of Sharpsburg, GA and Terri (Kevin) Riley of Morris; five grandchildren: Derek (Ashley) Fehr, Misty Angel, Danielle (Lester) Spriggle, Whitney (Michael) Lesmeister and Eric (Shanda) Riley; eleven great-grandchildren: Mason, Maci, Chance, Ellie, Levi, Parker, Mackenzie, Hope, Maddox, Madi, Amelia and baby Riley due November 16^th and one brother: Ron (Shirley) Tiffany of Litchfield.  She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father: Delbert Tiffany; great-granddaughter: Savannah Angel; parents-in-law and two brothers-in-law: Gary Pillar and Paul Wirtjes.

Marvin Henry Wirtjes, son of Henry and Margaret (Raths) Wirtjes, was born September 21, 1941 in Eldorado Township near Herman, Minnesota. He was baptized November 26, 1949 at the home of Frona Wirtjes in Morris and confirmed June 26, 1955 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Morris.  Marvin grew up and attended school in Morris through eighth grade.  Later in life, he went on to get his GED. He was united in marriage to Shirley Staton on September 16, 1961 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Morris.  Following their marriage, Marvin and Shirley lived in Morris before making their home on a farm West of Morris, where they raised their two daughters Debbie and Terri.  Marvin worked at CMI for a few years before working at the Stevens County Highway department where he worked for 33 years.  Following his retirement, Marvin helped local farmers.  Marvin and Shirley continued to live in Morris until the time of their passing.

Marvin enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting with his grandson Eric, handy-man work and anything to do with the outdoors.  He was the happiest when working outside or helping on house projects for his family.  Marvin and Shirley loved to travel and spent many winters in Arizona and visiting their daughter Debbie in Georgia.  Most of all, they loved spending time with their family, especially their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Marvin and Shirley passed away Friday, November 4, 2022 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.  Marvin was 81 and Shirley was 79.

Marvin is survived by two daughters: Debbie Fehr of Sharpsburg, GA and Terri (Kevin) Riley of Morris; five grandchildren: Derek (Ashley) Fehr, Misty Angel, Danielle (Lester) Spriggle, Whitney (Michael) Lesmeister and Eric (Shanda) Riley; eleven great-grandchildren: Mason, Maci, Chance, Ellie, Levi, Parker, Mackenzie, Hope, Maddox, Madi, Amelia and baby Riley due November 16th and two sisters: Luella “Punky” Raasch of Morris and Shirley Pillar of Mesa, AZ.  He was preceded in death his parents; great-granddaughter: Savannah Angel; brother: Paul Wirtjes; parents-in-law and brother-in-law: Gary Pillar.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS MEMORIALS ARE PREFERRED TO THE FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH COLLEGE FUND.