Shirley J. Garland

She was born in Superior, Wisc. on March 26, 1927 to Richard and Senia (Widstrom) Swanson. Shirley graduated valedictorian of the Brookston Minnesota High School class of 1944 and went on to college at Superior State Teacher’s College. She married US Army Air Corps Sergeant Kermit Garland in 1946 and lived in Illinois, Japan, Korea, Fort Snelling in Minnesota, New York, Boston, and finally in Lincoln, Nebraska from where Kermit retired and they returned to Duluth.

Shirley was an active volunteer throughout her life including many positions at Lester Park United Methodist Church, where she was a member for almost 50 years. Shirley was widowed in 1976. She returned to school and then worked at the St. Louis County Public Health Department as an outreach worker.

Shirley was married to Bob Schnuckle in 1979 and together they enjoyed traveling, gardening, and time spent with friends and family. Over the last five years Shirley became afflicted and lost the battle to Alzheimer’s.

She was preceded in death by parents Richard and Senia Swanson and husband Kermit.

Survived by husband Bob Schnuckle; sons Rick (Ann) and John (Elizabeth) Garland; grandchildren Jim, John, Jason, Claire and Graham; great granddaughter Grace (with whom she shared a birthday); and foster sister Phyllis Flynn and her five children.

Special thanks to Natalie Hanson, Dr. Doan, and those who lovingly cared for Shirley at Lakeshore Assisted Living in Duluth and Golden Living (Hillcrest) in Wayzata.

Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM Thursday, January 12 at First United Methodist Church in Duluth with visitation one hour prior. Please leave a memory of Shirley or words of support for the family at www.bellbrothersjarvidowd.com Arrangements by Bell Brothers Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home. Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota or Lester Park United Methodist Church in Duluth.