| Notes |
- Shirley Heesakker, 88, Appleton, passed away to eternal life on Friday, December 2, 2011, with her loving family at her side. She was born on March 25, 1923, in Milwaukee, the daughter of the late John and Martha (Schallock) Kessler. Shirley was the youngest of nine children.
After graduating from Rufus King High School, Milwaukee, Shirley enlisted in the U.S. Army. As a nursing assistant, she served proudly at Percy Jones General Hospital, Battle Creek, Michigan. It was there she met a young farm boy from Little Chute who went by the nickname "Stack". On November 28, 1946, Shirley married Francis "Stack" Heesakker at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Milwaukee.
Shirley was a member of St. John Nepomucene Church in Little Chute. She was a member of the American Legion Post #258 at Little Chute, and past commander of the American Legion Women's Post #163 at Appleton.
She was a golf enthusiast, enjoying many years as an active member at the Fox Valley Golf Club. Shirley defied all odds and hit three holes-in-one. Over the years, Shirley also enjoyed reading, flowers, needlework, knitting and crocheting, bowling, casino trips, a good card game and family get-togethers. She treasured exchanging frequent letters with her dear sister, Grace. Most of all, she cherished God's gift of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Francis "Stack" Heesakker; children, Peter Heesakker, Appleton; Michael (Mary) Heesakker, Minocqua; Susan (Daniel) Ritchie, Appleton; and Mary Jo (James) Kearney, Neenah; daughter-in-law, Laurie Heesakker; grandchildren, Kathryn (Jamie) Hermus, Laura (Mike) Pelgorsch and Jason (special friend, Laura) Heesakker; Justin Heesakker and Nick Heesakker; Philip (Kristen) Ritchie and Adam (Stacy) Ritchie; Callista (Noah) Buchen, Megan Kearney, Matthew Kearney and Sarah Kearney; great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Hunter and Grant Hermus; Ava and (arriving in December) Lincoln Ritchie; and Audrey Buchen. She is further survived by a sister, Grace Waraksa; sisters-in-law, Agnes Heesakker and Margaret Schwaller; brother-in-law, Lawrence Heesakker; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Annie and George Heesakker; son, Thomas Heesakker; daughter-in-law, Patricia Heesakker; sisters, Estelle (Richard) Randolph, Alice (Albert) Bartz, Mildred (Lester) Petersen and Muriel (Bernard) Will; brothers, John (Elizabeth) Kessler, Jr., Robert (Ethel) Kessler and Aubrey Kessler; sisters-in-law, Sister Callista "Martha" Heesakker, Loretta (Eugene) Harp, Josephine (Joseph) Mueller, Mary (William) Van Offeren, Dorothy Mae Heesakker and Beatrice Heesakker; and brothers-in-law, Anthony Waraksa and Robert Schwaller.
The funeral liturgy for Shirley will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 323 Pine Street, Little Chute. Msgr. James Vanden Hogen will be officiating. Interment will take place at the parish cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 2:30 p.m. until the time of Mass.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her name.
Shirley's family wishes to extend their most heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Appleton Retirement Community, her library angel Lynn Neimuth, Southern Care Hospice staff and Drs. Robert Nonn and Jack Anderson. Your gentle and compassionate care for Shirley will always be remembered. Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231
Online Condolences: www.wichmannfargo.com
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on December 4, 2011
|
1923 - 2011 (88 years)
