Shirley (Shern) Erbst passed away peacefully on January 25, 2023, with family at her bedside. Shirley Mae was born to William and Mary Magdelena (Mamie) Shern on September 22, 1928. Her only sibling, Ethel, was 12 years older. They grew up on the East side of St. Paul, where she attended Ames Elementary School, and eventually Harding High School, where she graduated in 1946.
Shirley’s first job out of high school was selling candy at the Golden Rule store in downtown St. Paul, which attracted many young suitors. Shirley eventually met her future husband, Eugene Erbst, while riding the city bus. Even though they both attended Harding High School, they didn’t meet until after high school. Their first date was riding around in their friend Larry’s rumble seat.
Gene and Shirley married in 1950 at Hazel Park Alliance Church in St. Paul, where they eventually attended with their children, Bill, Cindy, and Robyn, and then later switched back to Shirley’s home church, Hayden Heights Baptist Church. She always had a strong faith in God, and they taught their children the ways of the Lord. Attending Hayden Heights was an integral part of family life. In 1960 they built a house overlooking Tanners Lake in Oakdale, where a new brother Bryan was added to the family. They lived in this home for 56 years and built many wonderful memories there.
Shirley worked at First Trust when first married, but stayed home with her children during their young years. She then worked in various jobs over the years to help support her family: first as a proof operator at The First National Bank, which allowed her to work nights and be home during the day with the children, a waitress at IHOP, a maid at Howard Johnson’s, 3M Company, J.C. Penney’s, Craft Manager at Frank's Nursery and Crafts, and finally in Accounts Receivable at Eco Lab.
Shirley was always very active and took ice skating lessons as a child. She would walk to and from Hayden Heights Baptist Church every Sunday with her mother and sister. As an adult, she loved to swim at Tanners Lake, hike, and go cross-country skiing (which she started later in life). She also attended water aerobics classes at the YMCA in her senior years.
She was an excellent cook, and loved to serve fresh produce from their garden. She was an expert seamstress, and made most of the girls’ clothing growing up, which they prided themselves in wearing. She grew up playing the piano and made sure each of her children learned to play as well.
Shirley was outgoing and people everywhere would freely open up to her and share their stories with her. She loved anything outdoorsy, from loons, to the north woods, snow, and shopping. She often referred to herself as “winter girl” because she loved winter activities and scenes. Most of all she loved her family and she played a huge role in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their backyard overlooking Tanners Lake was a frequent gathering place for evening fires, picnics, 4th of July fireworks, and tether ball and volleyball.
Shirley and Gene loved camping at the North Shore, and made these trips as a regular highlight each year. Canoe camping to Ely was also their passion, even with 4 children in tow. They remember several times pulling over in the Greenbrier van at a wayside rest with all the kids to sleep through the night before traveling on. They spent most of their anniversaries in Grand Marais, their favorite town on Lake Superior. They eventually traveled to Europe with Robyn and Bryan to visit Cindy in Italy, twice to Hawaii, and an Anniversary Cruise to Alaska. Many winters they would drive cross-country to find warmer waters for a few weeks.
Preceded in death by husband, Gene; parents, William and Mamie; sister, Ethel Knutson; grandsons, Alex and Grant Leonard. Survived by children Bill Erbst, Cindy (Bruce) Leonard, Robyn (Mark) Sandquist, Bryan (Jeannie) Erbst; Grandkids: Laurel (Josh) DuLyn, Benjamin (Lydia) Sandquist, Jacob (Ellie) Sandquist, Andrea (JohnMark) Peterson, Jacob (Emily) Erbst. Great-grandchildren: Ryker, Rylee, & Rylan DuLyn; Lucas Sandquist, Ida Sandquist, Abigail and Tyler Peterson, Hope and Warren Erbst.
Visitation will be held on February 25, 2023 at The Wulff Funeral Home on 2195 Woodlane Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125 from 10:00 am to 12 noon with a Memorial Service from noon to 1 pm.
Memorials are preferred over flowers to: Christ Recovery Center, ℅ Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, 376 Western Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55103.
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