Shirley Louise Kirking

Shirley Louise Nelson was born December 1, 1924 on a farm near Capron, Illinois, the youngest of 10 children. From an early age she aspired to be a nurse like her older sister. Graduating Boone-McHenry Township High School in Capron in 1942 and The Lutheran Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis in 1946, she lived out this calling. Her fondest memories were of her time as a nurse at Canfield Clinic in Rockford, Illinois.

Shirley married Earl Kirking in 1961, and the couple settled in Mauston, Wisconsin. They had two sons and made many close friends before warmer weather brought them to Mesa, Arizona in 1969. Shirley eventually resumed her nursing career, caring for residents at Mesa Christian Nursing Home and other care centers in Mesa. She grew strong roots in Mesa and lived there for more than 50 years.

Throughout her life Shirley was active in the church. From Bethany Lutheran Church in Mauston to St. Peter and Victory Lutheran Churches in Mesa, she could be found leading women's groups and singing in the choir. Her life was an outstanding model of both the love and the strength of Jesus Christ.

Shirley was proud of her Norwegian heritage and enjoyed baking traditional cookies and treats. Nothing was more fun for her than serving fruit soup or sandbakkels to visiting nieces, nephews, and friends.

She passed from this life to life eternal on July 9, 2024.

She is survived by her son Brian and his wife Lennie, son Loren and his partner Diane, two granddaughters, and four step-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11am on August 1, 2024, at Victory Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona.