Shirley Ann Nolte, 86, Ellsworth, died Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.
A celebration of life was Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. Burial was at the Grand Prairie Cemetery in Ellsworth.
Shirley Christians was born Feb. 24, 1934, to Bill and Hilda (Miller) Christians in Little Rock Township near Little Rock, Iowa. She attended country school and graduated from Little Rock High School in Little Rock. Her favorite high school memory was playing basketball in the state tournament. Following graduation Shirley worked at the Adrian State Bank.
Shirley married Richard Nolte on Dec. 1, 1953. They started their married life in San Diego, California, where Richard was stationed. They then spent a short time in Norfolk, Virginia. After Richard’s time in the Navy, they moved to Huron Lake, where Shirley returned to her banking career. After several years they moved to Ellsworth, where Shirley lived the rest of her life. She worked at Campbell Soup until she was employed at Parkview Manor. For 20 years she worked as a med tech and cared for many individuals. She retired from Parkview Manor but soon realized that retirement was not for her. She started working at the Short Stop, which filled her need to be with people. She was employed there until it closed.
Shirley was an active member of the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, where she served as president of the Presbyterian Women as well as in many other capacities. She enjoyed her Bible study group. From 1984 until her death, she served as president of the Ellsworth American Legion Auxiliary.
Shirley considered her family to be her greatest blessing. She was proud of them and enjoyed going to her grandchildren’s events. She also liked jigsaw puzzles, cryptoquotes, creating her Christmas village, and painting ornaments for grandchildren.
Shirley is survived by six children, Pat (Rick) Long, Rock Rapids, Iowa, Ken (Rose) Nolte, Pipestone, Deb (Kevin) Grebin, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Cindy (Steve) Heitkamp, Luverne, Mike Nolte, Ellsworth, and Laurie (Steve) Herman, Rock Rapids; 22 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard, on April 9, 2004; an infant daughter; four grandchildren; a great-grandson; and her brother LeRoy Christians.
Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
(0827 F)