Shirley Ann (Howery) Danz

Shirley Ann (Howery) Danz of Black Earth, passed away on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at home surrounded by her family. She was born in Madison on February 11, 1944 to Ervin and Martha (Evenson) Howery. Shirley’s early education was in the Mount Horeb schools, later attending school in Black Earth. She was a graduate and Valedictorian of the Black Earth High School Class of 1962, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1966 with a degree in physical education.  On June 27, 1964 she married Leland A. Danz at Vermont Lutheran Church in rural Black Earth. Together they were blessed with two sons, Michael in 1967 and Anthony (Tony) in 1969. She taught physical education in the Madison schools, and was a frequent substitute teacher at Wisconsin Heights. Shirley was also a homemaker and farm wife, driving tractors and working alongside her husband and sons. She was creative and enjoyed sewing; and often tended a large garden, canning much of what they grew to share with family and friends. She had a talent for music and loved singing and playing piano, providing music for many weddings and funerals of family and friends. Genealogy was a passion of Shirley’s as she researched the many branches of the Howery, Evenson, Danz and Olson family trees. Shirley gave generously of her time to many organizations in the community. She was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and of its WELCA, taught Sunday School and was a confirmation mentor. She was secretary/treasurer of District 1 EMS, and also a lifetime member of the Black Earth Historical Society, where she formerly served as president. Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Leland; sons, Mike (Jodi Ziegler) and Tony (Missy); grandsons Connor, Lucas and Owen Danz; siblings, Ruth Haglund of Mount Horeb, Jerry (Joyce) Howery of Mount Horeb, LeRoy of Washington, and Karen (Holly) Howery of Holyoke, MA; sister-in-law Joyce (Ron) Poast of Black Earth; along with her nieces and nephews, plus other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and nephew Jason Howery.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Vermont Lutheran Church, 9886 Vermont Church Road, Black Earth. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 10 at Gunderson-Camacho Funeral Home, 1710 Center Street in Black Earth, and at the church from 10 a.m. until start of the service. A luncheon to reminisce and celebrate Shirley’s life will be held at the church after the service. Family burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Black Earth. Memorials may be made to the Black Earth Historical Society or St. Croix Hospice.