Shirley M. Honold, 82, of Sheboygan passed away Sunday, Oct. 21, at
JourneyCare’s Pepper Family Hospice Center, Barrington, IL. Shirley was born April
6, 1936, to the late Hubert A. and Renata (Paetz) Nelesen in Manitowoc, where she
graduated from Lincoln High School in 1954. In 1958, she earned a bachelor’s
degree in accounting from Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN. After graduation,
she worked for a public accounting firm in Chicago, then for Atty. John Holden in
Sheboygan; she was secretary at Trinity Lutheran Church and later worked in the
trust department at Wells Fargo Bank.
Shirley was a devoted mother and grandmother, a dear friend to many and a tireless
volunteer. A longtime faithful member of Trinity, she was secretary of the church
council, chair of the finance committee, and actively involved in Lutheran Women’s
Missionary League and Altar Guild. She was a member of the Valparaiso University
Guild for 48 years, serving as president of the local chapter and State Unit and
treasurer of the National Guild. She coordinated local fund-raisers and was
instrumental in organizing reunions of her sorority. In 2009, she was honored to
receive an Alumni Service Award from the University.
She belonged to the American Association of University Women for 58 years,
including 27 years as auditor for the Sheboygan Branch. She served terms as both
local and state treasurer, membership chairman and president; and was a member
of the bylaws, nominating, house tour and auction committees. In 2012, she was a
Named Gift Honoree.
Shirley was a member of Town & Country Garden Club for 33 years, serving a term
as president as well as on the finance, nominating and parliamentarian committees.
She was awarded a Medal of Merit and Presidential Award by the Garden Club of
America. She was treasurer of the Sheboygan Concert Association for 36 years and
served 6 years on the John Michael Kohler Arts Center board. She was also an ardent
supporter of Sheboygan Lutheran High School.
She is survived by her two daughters, Kathryn (John Per) Brodin, Barrington, IL, and
Kristine (Tom) Krueger, Birmingham, MI; two grandchildren, Nicholas and Erica
Brodin; brother-in-law, Dennis Duebner; cousins, Albert Nelesen, Marge (Dale)
Mertz and Diane Paetz; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Janet Duebner;
cousins, Fred Paetz and Nancy Klotz; aunts and uncles.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 3, at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran
Church, 824 Wisconsin Ave., Sheboygan. The family will greet those in attendance at
a reception in the school gymnasium following the service, from 2 to 4 p.m. Private
burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc.
In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to Trinity Lutheran Church,
Sheboygan Lutheran High School or Valparaiso University.
