Shirley Gregoire

Shirley Gregoire died on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo at the age of 83.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Montevideo with Father Paul Timmerman presiding.  A luncheon with a visitation will follow the Mass. A private family burial will be in church cemetery.

Shirley Mae Wirtjes Gregoire was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 15, 1935 to Harland and Lois (Wirtjes) Haugen.  She attended high school in Russell, MN where she was the Home Coming Queen.  Shirley and Duane met at a movie theater. She was united in marriage to Duane B. Gregoire on June 4, 1956 in Marshall, MN.  They lived in Montevideo and raised four children: Douglas, Catherine, David, and Karen.

Shirley was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where she served as scripture reader and Lay Eucharist Minister. As she raised her children she had various jobs to include, cashier at Bills, Cook’s Jack & Jill and Red Owl grocery stores. She was clerical staff at the Credit Bureau, held a real estate licenses and worked for Kuhlmann & Smith. Once the children left home she worked as a librarian at Montevideo Public Library. Shirley was a cashier at Walmart prior to her retirement.

Shirley and Duane were hostess at Lac qui Parle State Park and Camden State Park in Lynd, MN. Shirley continued as a hostess several years following Duane’s passing.  Shirley enjoyed reading western and romance novels, playing cards, and knitting.  She had her aviation license, was a licensed radio operator and taught ground school classes.  The family enjoyed motorcycling, traveling, RV camping and fishing together.

She will be remembered as a persistent, straight-forward, adventurous, funny, chatty and definitely loving person.

Shirley is survived by her children: Douglas (Cindy) Gregoire, Catherine (David) McCormick, David (Dawn) Gregoire, Karen (Arlan) Willand; grandchildren: Brian, Jackie, Caleb, Bryanna, Casey, Jasmine, Sandra, Michelle, Nicole, Amber, Shayna, Miranda, and Lucas; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Bob Obermann; as well as other extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Duane; sisters-in-law and brother-in-laws: Bernice (Lester) Bauer, Betty Obermann and Patricia (Jim) Staples.


Memorial Link for Shirley Gregoire.
https:www.osvonlinegiving.com/4275/DirectDonate/69279