Shirley Ann Stenklyft

What a day that will be, when my Savior I shall see… On Monday, March 23, 2026, Shirley Ann Stenklyft, 89, of Tyler, Texas, looked upon the face of her Lord and Savior. What a glorious day it was for her!

Shirley was born on September 29, 1936, to Clarence and Alice Halfman in New Holstein Township, Wisconsin. She grew up in rural Wisconsin, where she was instilled with a strong Catholic faith that she later passed on to her children, along with the loving spirit that would define her life.

She married the love of her life, Gerald (Jerry) Hilding Stenklyft, on June 22, 1956, after being fondly “hand-picked” by her future mother-in-law. Shortly after their wedding, the couple moved to Anderson, Indiana, where they raised their four children. Shirley poured her heart into caring for her family, filling their home with the aroma of fresh-baked bread and other homemade treats. Her deep Catholic faith was always a priority, and she lovingly passed that faith on to her children.

Together, Shirley and Jerry lived in Anderson and Kokomo, Indiana; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Brownsville, Texas, before retiring and settling in Tyler, Texas. It was in Tyler that Shirley’s love of gardening truly bloomed. She also had a great fondness for Dairy Queen kiddie cones. She looked forward to her Tuesday morning coffee with dear friends and lunch with the Dazzling Dames.

She cherished every moment with her growing family, especially after becoming a grandmother. She delighted in spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever she could. Shirley was blessed with a large and loving family—an abundance of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she affectionately called her “grands and greats.” In her later years, she was surrounded daily by their love and joyful visits.

She is now rejoicing in heaven with her beloved husband, Jerry; her son, Dr. Gerald Hilding Stenklyft, Jr.; her sister, Jean Schwanke; and her grandson, Chris Roberts.

She is lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her surviving children: Jay (Annalisa) Stenklyft, Jean (Stan) Roberts, and Joan Waiter (with Ron Woods); her sister, Phyllis Stadtmueller; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and many dear friends.

Pallbearers will be Anthony Stenklyft, David Stenklyft, Tommy Perry, Daniel Waiter, Gerald H. Stenklyft III and Stan Roberts

The family extends special thanks to the nurses and staff at Christus Trinity Mother Frances, as well as to Shirley’s devoted caregivers, Ana and Ebony Tolvar, who provided her with such loving and compassionate care in her final years.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 9th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Lloyd James Funeral Home in Tyler, with the Rosary praying promptly at 5:45 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, April 10th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Wellspring Fransalian Center for Spirituality or to St. Vincent de Paul of Tyler at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where Shirley faithfully volunteered.