Shirley Ann West

1948 - 2025

Shirley Ann West (née Gassen)
Born: August 6, 1948
Died: October 7, 2025
Shirley Ann West (née Gassen), of Sycamore, Illinois, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, following a courageous 3-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was born on August 6, 1948, in Richland Center, Wisconsin, to the late Francis and Elizabeth "Betty Lou" (Briggs) Gassen.
Shortly after Shirley was born, her family moved to Delavan, WI, where she grew up. She graduated from Delavan Darian High School in 1966.
Shirley met her beloved husband, Peter Cross West, while attending the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. They were married on July 26, 1969. Together they began their life in Delavan, Wisconsin, before settling in Sycamore, where they have resided for more than 50 years.
Shirley dedicated 45 remarkable years to the banking industry in the Sycamore and DeKalb communities. Throughout her long and accomplished career –much of it with Resource Bank – she was admired for her unwavering professionalism, integrity, and kindness. These qualities deeply touched the lives of her colleagues, customers, and friends. She was also a longtime and active member of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, proudly participating in numerous ribbon-cutting ceremonies that celebrated new local businesses.
In 2022, Shirley retired as Branch Manager of Resource Bank, leaving behind not only a legacy of leadership and excellence but also countless friendships formed through her warmth, compassion, and genuine care for others.
At her heart, Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend –the center of her family and a source of light to all who knew her. She will be remembered for her boundless kindness, quiet strength, and radiant smile that could brighten any room she entered.
She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Peter West; her cherished daughters, Becky West Wiegel (Ryan) and Katie West; and her adored grandchildren, Cole (17), Scarlett (15), Jake (14), Anna (13), and Patrick (7). She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Judy West Jisa; her brother-in-law, Michael West (Sue); and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Elizabeth "Betty Lou" (Briggs) Gassen; her sisters, Paula Jean Gray and Nancy Graves; her father and mother in law, Robert F. and Virginia (Cross) West; and her brother in law, Wendell Jisa.
Shirley's greatest joy came from spending time with her family and friends. She loved traveling the world with her husband, children, and grandchildren, and she cherished every gathering filled with laughter, stories, and love. Known for her impeccable sense of style, she had a special fondness for shoes – a joyful reflection of her vibrant and spirited personality.
A lifelong fitness enthusiast, Shirley was an avid jogger who ran over five miles a day for more than 40 years. She proudly participated in the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Run each year and was well known around town for her license plate, which read "I JOG 2" – a playful expression of her energy and love of running that her family still celebrates with pride.
Above all, her happiest moments were spent at the family's summer home on Delavan Lake, Wisconsin, where countless memories were made over lakeside breakfasts, peaceful boat rides, and evenings spent together on the deck overlooking the water.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m., with a memorial service beginning at 3:30 p.m., at Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, Illinois.
Immediately following the service, family and friends are warmly invited to a celebration of life honoring Shirley from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Old Mill Park Clubhouse in Peter and Shirley's new residential community, located at 39 Kloe Lane, Sycamore, Illinois. Appetizers, refreshments, and shared memories will be enjoyed as all gather to celebrate the beautiful life of a woman who gave so freely of her love, laughter, and grace.
Donations in Shirley's memory may be made to the Hospice Support Foundation, 1175 Centre Pointe Circle, Mendota Heights, MN 55170. Checks may be made payable to Hospice Support Foundation.
To sign the online guest book or share a special memory, go to https://www.butalafuneralhomes.com/