Shirley Simonson Obituary

Shirley Simonson

Oshkosh, WI - Shirley A Simonson, age 86, died Friday March 26, 2021. She was born February 7, 1935 in Sisseton, SD to John and Helga Koeppe. She graduated from high school in 1953. It was during this time she met and continued to love her life-time companion, James.

She graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN in 1957. She married James that same year. She taught school in Oak Park, IL for three years to "put him through" medical school. After these three years, she had her first child, Ingrid. In 1961, she and her family moved to Ethiopia as missionaries. While there she had two more children, Matthew and Sonja. They returned to Chicago in 1966 and moved to Oshkosh in 1970 where she was able to raise three wonderful children. In 1985 she and James moved to Austin, MN returning to Oshkosh in 1995 to be with their children and grandchildren.

Shirley was very active in church (circles, bible studies, Sunday School teacher, quilting, Steven Ministry and WELCA -Women of the Church). She enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of PEO. In retirement years, they did extensive foreign travel - 40 countries in total.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 63 years, James; their children: Ingrid (Jeff) Jorgenson, Matthew (Cheryl Soper) Simonson, and Sonja Simonson; their grandchildren: Michael (Gustavo) Simonson, Sonya Robinson, Heidi Robinson, John (Britt) Simonson and Jessica Jorgenson; their great grandchildren: Mia, Kyra, McKenna, Marya and Jordy.

She is further survived my many nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law; Audrey, Eunice, Bonnie Simonson and Clarinne Koeppe; brother-in-law, Richard Hohertz.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, John and Helga Koeppe; brother, Delno Koeppe; sister, Barbara Hohertz; and brothers-in-law: Luther, David and Paul Simonson.

Due to Covid 19 restrictions a private service was held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church Oshkosh, WI with Pastor Connie Weiss officiating. Burial followed at Riverside Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be sent to Our Saviors Lutheran Church 1860 Wisconsin Oshkosh WI 54901 for the quilting group or WELCA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Oshkosh Northwestern on Apr. 4, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

Lynn Thill

April 5, 2021

Ingrid, Jeff and family,
Please accept my condolences on your loss.... no one can replace a mom! My mom passed away 6 months ago and the loss is still very raw. Treat yourself gently and let all the wonderful memories help heal your heart. Sending love , hugs and prayers ✝

Larry and Karen Dobberstein

April 4, 2021

Knew Shirley from church. She was always such a nice lady . She will be missed and remembered by those who knew her.

Sally

April 4, 2021

One of the best human beings that god brought into my life. I will always remember her willingness to make me feel special and her contagious smile. Heaven has gained. Keeping the family in my prayers

Michael Tusken

April 3, 2021

Shirley Simonson and her family were a very important part of my childhood and as a youth growing up as a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. She was my Sunday School teacher and also was vital to the Vacation Bible School program that the children and youth of Our Savior's participated in during the summer. She was always exceptionally warm and friendly and made me and everyone feel very welcome, and she shared many experiences that her family had in Africa while they were missionaries. I greatly enjoyed seeing her and her husband at Our Savior's whenever I returned to Oshkosh. She and her family also welcomed us to their home in Austin one special summer. She was a wonderfully special person. It was with great sadness that I received the news of her passing. My thoughts and prayers are with her husband James, daughters Ingrid and Sonja and son Matt, and their families and friends.

Danielle (Kremers) Juedes

March 30, 2021

Shirley helped shape my faith in God through church. She was a mentor of mine. She will be deeply missed. Many prayers to her family.

Evelyn (Deanie) Minniear

March 30, 2021

First of all, my sincere condolences to Shirley’s family. Shirley and I shared a special mutual acquaintance with the granddaughter of Ethiopia’s Emporer Haile Selassie, Princess Ruth Desta, who visited Oshkosh a couple of times, and Shirley graciously provided her lodging. Shirley was also a dear Sister in Oshkosh P.E.O. Chapter BA. She will be missed.

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