Shirley Ardis Rajala

DENMARK, Wis. - Shirley Ardis (nee Wuolo) Pittsley Rajala, 89, of Denmark, formerly of Waukegan, Illinois, and Bruce Crossing, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Bellin Memorial Hospital in Green Bay.
Shirley was born on Aug. 29, 1935, in Ironwood, Michigan, to Charles and Martha (Niemi) Wuolo.
Shirley graduated from L'Anse High School in 1953. She married Russell Pittsley in 1954. Together they had three children, David, Tammy and Charles "Tom." Russell passed away in 1985. Shirley later married Richard "Matt" Rajala in 1996. Shirley and Matt enjoyed six wonderful years of world travel, relaxation and retirement before Matt passed away in 2002.
Shirley was a life member to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Covington Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 8545, and a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Bruce Crossing.
Shirley retired from Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, Illinois, after 21 years with the company, working for the corporate division in financial analysis as a senior clerk.
Nothing surpassed her love for her family and friends. Shirley loved photographs, family home movies, dancing, family reunions at Kidney Lake and mowing with her riding mower at her beloved Paynesville home.
Shirley is survived by her children, David Pittsley, Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin, Tammy (Daniel) Hemming, Denmark, Wisconsin, and Tom (Cindy) Pittsley, Beach Park, Illinois; grandchildren, Larissa (Vince) Alatorre, Lindsey Ward, Selia (Keir Pryde) Ward, Spencer Ward and Tyler (Areli) Pittsley; great-grandchildren, Natalie and Nathaniel Pittsley, and Lincoln and Alexis Mitchell; numerous step grandchildren, step great- grandchildren and step great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Betty Lindner; and her best friend since 2nd grade, Shirley Latondress. Shirley was anxiously awaiting the birth of her newest great-granddaughter, Martha Alatorre.
Besides her two husbands, Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Donovan Wuolo.
A celebration of Shirley's life will be held at Kidney Lake, the first weekend in August. Details will follow.
Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Michigan, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.