Shirley Ann Affeldt

Shirley Ann Affeldt, 90, Park Rapids, MN passed away Monday, December 22, 2025 at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN.
Shirley was born March 12, 1935 in Detroit, MI to Irene (Habel) and Harvey Rinke. She grew up in East Detroit, graduating from high school in 1953. On December 31, 1953, she married William Affeldt. They raised their family in the St. Cloud, MN area. Shirley worked many years in retail sales.
Family: The crowning glory for Shirley was the arrival of grandchildren/great grandchildren:
Shirley delighted in everything about her role as a grandmother/great grandmother and took on the moniker of "Nana". She made it a point to be as engaged as much as possible with her grandchildren from babysitting, to sewing and quilting for them; attending birthday parties, sports, school performances and holiday events. Shirley was always on the hunt for new games and resurrecting antique games to play with her grandchildren while always cheering them on as they won. Shirley delighted in her grandchildren as much, if not more, than she delighted in raising her children. She was very proud of her family so whenever we talked with her, she would fill us in on the newest great grandchild to the latest sporting event, badge earned, job obtained, award earned, or family event. It brought back memories of how she showed the same love for us with handmade items and showing up at our events and when we needed her most.
Family Time: Shirley loved decorating for Holidays and made the house festive. Christmas to Shirley was filled with music, a nativity scene, a live tree, bells and bows. There were lots of lights and sentimental, sparkly ornaments on the tree! As children we always got a new outfit for church. We had the tradition of eating Kringler while watching Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer, making sugar plum cookies, frosting sugar cookies with colored frosting (including a giant Santa cookie for each child), driving around to see Christmas lights, stockings filled with: 1 large apple or orange, tons of candy, as well as small toys and going to midnight mass at St Augustine's church.
Phantom Gifting: Shirley loved to go for a ride but it always had a purpose. She enjoyed the calm, sunshine, scenery and music playing on her favorite station but she had a delivery to make. She'd drive up to a family member's house to drop off a gift made or found especially for them. It might be a handmade item, a treat, or a book selected specifically for an adult child, or one of the grandchildren. She'd never knock on the door or entered the home; it was left at the front door. Without a word she said "I love you.", "I hope you have a good day." or "It will be better tomorrow."
Shirley was known for her infamous parenting quotes:
Actions speak louder than words.
When you're pointing your finger at someone else, there are 4 fingers pointing back at you.
If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything.
What she was really saying- "Words matter- be kind".
Shirley kept us updated with world news (from a 60,70,80,90 year old perspective) whenever we saw her. It was her daily job to keep track of the world by reading 3 daily newspapers, and watching the national news. She knew, of course, we were too busy taking care of work and children to be bothered. Take away: "Listen to other's point of view, you might learn something!" Even though Shirley has moved on to heaven, we can still hear her words of wisdom.
Even though we may have been separated by miles, she made it a point to care for those she loved.
Shirley is survived by 4 children, Denise Timm of Laporte, MN, Lynn Stoddard of East Aurora, NY, Yvonne DesMarais of Brainerd, MN and William Affeldt of Clear Lake, MN; 2 siblings, Mae Sandhop of Tucson, AZ and Sylvia Culver of Reston, VA; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death her husband, William Affeldt; her parents; and her brother, Vincent Rinke.
Funeral services are pending.