Kari and family,

I am so sorry to see that your Mom passed away. Your Mom always seemed to be so happy. I am sure she will be greatly missed by many. My Grandfather had Alzheimers as well. This must have been a hard few years for all of you. Take great joy in the fact that she now is in Heaven where the knowledge of her family has come back to her. I am sure you can feel her love.

Take care of yourself,

Peggy (Kuehntopp) Chidester

Also . . . I will tell my son, Eric Manahan, that your Eric has lost his Grandmother. My Eric met your son in college. What a small world. Keep in touch!

Kari, so sorry to hear about your mom.  I didn't see it until Friday evening or I would have come to the wake. I saw your mom quite often when I would go to see my mom during meal time as they ate at the same table. Alzheimer's is such a sad disease to watch a loved one have. Your mom was always so nice when we were growing up.  My thoughts are with you at this time.  Pat

Kari and Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mom always had a tune under her breath. She was a great lady. God's peace be upon you.

Coco and Doug Sowers

i remember the whitaker family when i was growing up in racine.  shirley remembered me years later when i worked at rmh. she will be deeply missed. my condolences to the family.

My prayers and thoughts are with you all.

Blessings-Shel

Whitaker Family, Sorry to hear of Shirley's passing.  She was one sweet lady...she had a laugh and a smile that I can still see/hear today!  Heaven is now blessed with 2 very sweet ladies, my Mom (Catherine Kvall) and Shirley.

May all those memories you have get you through the days and years ahead. 

Lesley (Kvall) Salsman

Jim Kvall and Anita Wendt

I was so sorry to hear about your mom, like many of the friends of her kids she became our mom too in many ways. I will mostly remember the times playing with Katrina and she would just keep tabs on us and make sure we were doing okay and smile and say "Kiddos".  In our prayers and thoughts.

Julie and kids

What do I say about one of the most special ladies I have ever know.  She had a zest for life that was unbelievable.  No matter how difficult a situation might have been, she saw the brightness at the end of each tunnel.  She made my life a lot easier for many years, and on many occassions, when I thought I couldn't face much more.  She was truly one of the few people in this world that would do anything to help you. 

Aunt Shirley has left a legacy of kindness and wisdom that will live on through her family and friends.  I know we are all better people, for having had the many years with such a wonderful lady.

My blessings and prayers to her children and grandchildren.

I love you all.

Paula

I am very sorry to hear about your mother.  Heaven has acquired a very sweet and loving lady. 

-Dave Hulme

Our sympathy to the family of Shirley Whitaker.  I went to Stewartville High School with Shirley.  She was such a bubbly gal and always made our day happy. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you.  May she rest in peace.

Bill and Mary Jo Galligan

My deepest sympathy.   I graduted with Shirley  from Stewartville High School and, although we have not kept in touch over the years (I live near Des Moines, IA)  I certainly never forgot the great smile and her caring manner.     .  When my mother passed,  her funeral was at St. John's Lutheran Church and Shirley came to the luncheon afterward.    Although it was a sad time, I so appreciated her taking  time  to spend with me.   We had a great visit and my husband so enjoyed her humor.    That was but one example of the type of person she was.   She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.

Aunt Shirley was my favorite Aunt!  She was always so loving and giving even when she had little to give.  I will forever remember her and mom getting the giggles and then laughing so hard they would snort!  And they sounded excactly alike!  I will fondly remember being referred to as kiddo as she called so many people.  One of my most favorite memories is the time dad actually had her convinced that chocolate milk came from a brown cow!!  Traci and Katrina, who willl forget the time she told you to pick up the "pop" bottles after a party you had!  :-)  Then of course there was the blue Ford Torino that has many stories attached to it!  Aunt Shirley you will be missed, but remembered fondly and with lots of smiles!

My deepest sympathy goes out to the Whitaker family.  Shirl was a second mom to me growing up and I think there were months that I spent more time at the Whitaker home than my own.  I have so many fun and meaningful memories of her.  One of my favorites is when we used to travel in the car with her.  She had a vehicle that didn't have automatic blinker turn off and she would constantly forget to turn her blinker off.  I would give her a reminder by saying "Blink" or "Blinker" and she'd say, "Thanks kiddo."  However, if Katrina or Traci reminder her, she'd yell at them.  Truly hilarious.

Shirley was always fun to be around.  She was full of life and loving.  That love lives on in her children and grandchildren.  She will be forever missed!

Love,

Kerry

So sorry to hear about your mom's passing. She was a great lady. What I remember most about her was her wonderful smile and how she called everyone "Kiddo" She was a great lady.

She is in a wonderful place called "Heaven" now. She is at peace. 

Pam Koster

I had the pleasure to work with Shirley on Station 61 at RMH back in the late 60's as a  new y hired RN.  What a positive person Shirley was--I remember her smile and of course her laugh---it made tough days on the station more bearable when Shirley was working.  Many good thought and prayers to her family as your heal your hearts.  I bet you all have lots of good stories and memories of her.