Shirley Maurer (Thews)

Shirley Maurer (Thews) passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025, in her home at Reedsburg Area Senior Life Center in Reedsburg, Wisconsin.  She was a devoted and loving wife, mother of two, mother-in-law of three, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of four.

Shirley was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 17, 1934, to Homer and Mildred (Oakley) Thews, the second child of four, with sisters, Mary and Alice and brother Richard.  In 1952, she met the love of her life, Calvin Maurer, and they were married in Fort Smith, Arkansas on April 10, 1955.  Shirley pursued a profession in nursing at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and became a registered nurse in 1954.  Shirley and Calvin settled in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where she worked as a nurse, and ultimately became Director of Nursing, at the Lutheran Home and Service for the Aged, serving there for over 30 years.  They became devoted members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Arlington Heights, where Shirley was very active, volunteering her time and artistic talents.  

Shirley and Calvin welcomed son Richard in 1959 and daughter Deborah in 1962.  In 1990, they retired and moved to LaValle, Wisconsin, living on Lake Redstone.  They became active members of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Reedsburg, Wisconsin.  Shirley volunteered at both the church and school. She was a member of the altar guild, ladies aid, and assisted the kindergarten teachers.  She was affectionately known by many of the St. Peter’s kindergarten children over the years as “Grandma Shirley”.  

One of her many loves was baking cream puffs and other goodies for just about everyone and every occasion.  Shirley opened her heart and shared her talents with the many people she touched. She loved making new friends and had a mischievous, fun-loving side.  She will be greatly missed by her many friends and loving family.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 70 years, Calvin; daughter, Debbie (Craig) Myers; former daughters-in-law, Deb Rego and Becky Jasper; grandchildren: Maria Myers, Jakob Myers, Erin (Aaron) Hanke, Brittany Maurer (fiancé, Mitch Burri), Beth (Gage) Connell and Will Maurer; great grandchildren: Skyler and Axel, Maci and Blake and Quinn.

She was preceded in death by her son, Richard; her parents, Homer and Mildred; her brother, Richard and sisters, Mary (Charles) and Alice (Robert).

Funeral services for Shirley Maurer will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Reedsburg, with Pastor Paul Crolius officiating.  Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, LaValle.  Visitation will be held on Saturday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Farber Funeral Home and on Sunday from 12:00 noon until the time of the service at the church. Memorials of remembrance may be made to St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church.