Shirley Speltz

Shirley Ann Speltz went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 31, 2024 surrounded by her
family on the farm she was raised on in Minnesota City. Shirley led a simple and humble life,
finding the most joy in those who surrounded her.
Shirley lived her whole life in Minnesota City, with the majority of those years spent on Cedar
Knoll Farm where she was born to Ed and Viola Yarolimek on June 12, 1935. After graduating
from Winona Senior High School, Shirley went on to work at Stevenson’s department store and
Winona Industries. Her true life’s calling and greatest joy began when she married Jim Speltz on
October 17,1959. Together, they raised four children.
Along with mothering, Shirley took great pride in being a homemaker. She always had
something ready to offer the hungry farm-hands that would walk into the kitchen. Jim rarely went
to look at a tractor, pick up a part, or snag a quick piece of pie alone. Some of her favorite
activities were attending many bible study groups and engaging in Christian fellowship.
She enjoyed being a part of Ron’s Old Tyme Fun Polka Band, keeping the beat with her
tambourine at nursing homes around the area and attending many local parades. She enjoyed
working the pro-life booth at the Winona County Fair each summer, with her most important
conviction being her faith in Jesus Christ. Later in life, you could find Shirley walking around the
farm many times a day.
Once, when Shirley was asked by her future son-in-law, “So, what would you like to talk about?”
in an attempt to get to know her, she responded “Well, if it were up to me, I’d talk about Jesus.”
Now instead of talking about Him, Shirley is talking and walking with Him.
Shirley is survived by three of her children; Amy (Eric) Lee of Minnesota City, Valerie (Brian)
Rigsby of Streamwood IL, and Jason (Carrie) Speltz of Altura, MN; nine grandchildren, Raelynn
(Mitch) Fair, Jaynah (John) Heim, Spencer Speltz, Allison (Jonah) Woodward, Brynn Lee,
Anissa Lee, Aase Lee; Megan Rigsby, Bridget Rigsby; and two great-grandchildren, Weston
Fair and Vienna Heim.
Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her son, Marty; her parents, Ed and Viola
Yarolimek; her step-father, Harry Ramer; her sister, Dolores Vaughn; and an older brother, Ed
Jr., who died in infancy.
A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at
83 Main St., Rollingstone, Minnesota at 12 PM. Visitation will be held from 11 AM to 12 PM prior
to the mass.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Winona Health Hospice staff for their
excellent care of Shirley during this time.
Hoff Celebration of Life-Goodview is assisting the family with arrangements.