Shirley Katherine Curl

The family of Shirley Katherine Curl is saddened to announce her passing on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Shirley was the third child of seven children born to Melbourne and Camilla Schoch on February 12, 1945. In college, Shirley double-majored in Elementary Education and Spanish. Both degrees were received from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. She later went on to receive her PHD in Education Administration from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Shirley's teaching years began in East Alton Illinois for the Roxana School District, where she taught 5th and 6th gradersfor eight years, with her sights set on administration. The family moved to Detroit Lakes, MN where she worked as a Special Education teacher and Gifted Consultant. The next move was to Fort Dodge, Iowa where she worked for the Arrowhead Education Agency, serving as their consultant for the gifted. She later moved to Hastings, Nebraska where she served as a school principal for Hastings Public Schools. In her quest for new challenges, Shirley later moved to Junction City, Iowa where she served as school principal and educational consultant. Shirley's last twenty years of school administration were spent working for the Solanco School District in Quarryville, Pennsylvania as the Director of Special Education and Gifted Services. In that capacity, she oversaw all the gifted programs throughout the State of Pennsylvania. She spent many miles on the road auditing school districts for program compliance and many years in conference rooms in servicing educators on various topics in special education. Shirley's passion for education could only be matched by her unwavering work ethic. She was deeply admired for her quick wit, her work ethic, and her uncanny ability to think outside the box. From her "tongue-in-cheek diva crown" to her sharp one-liners, Shirley will have a lasting impact on all who crossed her path.
Shirley is preceded in death by her loving husband, Thomas E. Curl in 2021, her brother, Kenny in 1975, her father, Melbourne in 1991, her mother, Camilla in 2016, her brother, Don in 2018, and her eldest brother, Robert in 2024. She is survived by her two daughters, Cynthia Katherine Curl from Webster City, Iowa and Tamara Therese Grotte from Rosemount, Minnesota. She is also survived by her three siblings, Gerald Schoch (Joan) from Honolulu, Hawaii, Debra Stout (Mark) from Escondido, California, and Marilyn Traut from Bayview, Texas, and her sweet companion from The Moments Memory Care, Steve.
Services for Dr. Shirley K. Curl will be at White Funeral Home at 20134 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville, Minnesota. Visitation will precede the service between 9:30 am and 11:00 am. A luncheon to celebrate Shirley will be served following the service. Burial will follow at Acacia Cemetery in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.