Shirley Lois Pishaw

Shirley Lois Pishaw was born on May 18th, 1927, and passed away on Palm Sunday, March 28th, 2021. Born in LaCrosse, WI, Shirley was the second of nine children born to Morris and Georgina (Larson) Johnson. She attended Onalaska Public Schools (grades 1 through 8), and Logan High School in LaCrosse, WI. She graduated as part of the Class of 1945.

She was united in marriage to Joseph J. Pishaw on November 15, 1947 at Trinity Lutheran Church in LaCrosse, WI. The couple lived in LaCrosse, WI from 1947 to 1952. In 1952 they moved to Seattle, WA, where they raised a family of three children: Karl, Ellen, and Mark. Shirley lived in Seattle the rest of her life, together with Joe, until his untimely death on December 15th, 1994. For the last four years of her life she resided at Blue Hope AFH in Lynnwood, WA, where she received compassionate and loving care from all the wonderful staff there.

Shirley’s main occupation in life was as a homemaker. She also worked outside the home at Trane Co. in LaCrosse, WI; at Roma Pizza in north Seattle; for the Shoreline School District in Seattle; and for Safeco Insurance Company in Seattle.

Shirley was a woman of faith. She was a long-time member of Bethel Lutheran Church of Shoreline in north Seattle (now Shoreline). Besides being a faithful worship attender, she enjoyed teaching Sunday School, being part of the Bethel Altar Guild, being involved in Bible Studies and Women’s Circles, and she served for many years on Bethel’s Prayer Chain. She was also involved in Bible Study Fellowship for several years.

One of the highlights of Shirley’s life was traveling to Asian countries with Joe several times in the late 1970’s, where they would also make a stop in Hawaii on their way back home. Another highlight for Shirley was her family. She loved all her family dearly, and prayed for them daily.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; her parents, Morris and Georgina Johnson; her brother; Robert Johnson; her sisters Betty Callan and Marion Johnson; her son-in-law, Michael Bergesen; and her granddaughter, Rachel Pishaw.

Shirley is survived by her children, Karl (Jean) Pishaw, Ellen Bergesen, (Jimmy Pugh), and Mark (Kelly) Pishaw; grandchildren, Eric (Mary) Bergesen, Tiffany (Calen) Regnier, Abigail Pishaw, Rebekah Pishaw, and Audrey Pishaw; 4 great-grandchildren, Heidi Bergesen, Cody Bergesen, Aiden Regnier, and Brooklyn Regnier; sister, Dee Simmons (WA); and four brothers, Charles Johnson (WI), Jerry (Diane) Johnson (WI), Duane (Beth) Johnson, (WI), and George (Pack) Johnson (IL); as well as many nieces and nephews.