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Shirley Gustafson Obituary

Gustafson, Shirley (nee Engen) The Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Sister Passed away on May 14, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shirley was born November 30, 1929, in Sioux City, Iowa. She sang in local nightclubs in the 40's and 50's, and in 1972, she was voted the second ever "Klondike Kate" of St. Paul's Winter Carnival. Shirley lived in Iowa, Southern California, Morocco and Minnesota, before retiring to Las Vegas in 1998. Throughout her life she held a passion for art, humor, cooking and musical performance. She was preceded in death by her husbands, William Theuringer and Robert Gustafson; her parents and two brothers. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Antone; her son, William Theuringer, Jr.; her brother, Ronald Engen; her grandchildren, Nicholas Antone, Jr. (Jennifer), Samantha Antone, Angela Lewis (Justin), Anthony Antone (Tanisha) and Lindsey Theuringer. She had 6 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Services will be held at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, on Thursday, June 3, 2010, at 12:00 p.m.

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Published by Pioneer Press on May 30, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Shirley Gustafson

4 Entries

June 2, 2010

I did not know Shirley well in fact I don't think we ever had a one on one conversation. When the Engens came to town I just loved sitting around listening to all the stories, jokes and singing. My mother(Dodie)and dad loved their company as well as the rest of us. When I was a kid I remember thinking how pretty and talented Shirley was and how she always had a smile. All of the Engens are very talented, beautiful and nice people who were always very kind to my mother and my siblings.I am sorry for the family's loss.My memories of Shirley will always be sweet.

Donna Doohen

Lisa Swifka

June 1, 2010

In 1974 Shirley (my sister-in-lawCheryl's Mother)was visiting here in CA and invited me to come and stay with her in Minnesota to get over a broken heart I was in the midst of. After she returned to Minnesota I packed and flew out for a visit...I ended up in the Twin Cities for 3 years....the first few months actually living with Shirley who also helped me get my first job there. She was fun and vivacious and was always invited to parties my friends and I had during that time. She was like our peer. She was clever and talented and always treated me with great kindness and love. She would cook my favorite meals once or twice a week and one year for my birthday she gave me a beautiful antique velvet opera coat I had always drooled over. In a big box with a giant bow, I will never forget that. After I moved back to CA I didn't see her very often but when I did we would laugh and share memories of that time together. Those memories are what I will always remember....her generosity, kindness and fun, songs and stories. I am reminded of a silly little song she'd sing "This is my song... it isn't very long....now it's all gone".(Or something close to that).. Shirley ,herself, may be gone but she will certainly not be forgotten.

May 31, 2010

Shirley was my cousin and what fun she was. I can still remember her telling Chreryl a bedtime story and having the whole room full of relatives completely mesmerized listening to it.She would make paper dolls and clothes for me. My family would go over to the Engens when they lived in Sioux City and to St Paul to see them. I always thought she was so beautiful and so talented. I'm sorry that I couldn't have seen more of her over the years. Blessings to the family from my family.
Karen (Knudson) Shea
Sioux Falls, SD 57103

Bruce Rezin

May 30, 2010

Shirley, was not only my first cousin but a true friend. I loved her warm and compassionate ways. She always had a smile and nice jester for just about anything and anyone. Her personality was absolutely splended. She ALWAYS made you feel wonderful. She was a GREAT cook, a GREAT singer and as already mentioned, she could entertain the smallest to the largest of crowds. When she lived in Minneapolis, I always enjoyed driving up from Sioux City to visit her. It became a must thing to do for at least one to two times per year.

I will always keep a warm spot in my heart for her .. Her memory will for always be with me, ALWAYS!!!

Bruce Rezin

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

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