Shirley Ann Rohde, age 73, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, July 10, 2026. She was born in Milwaukee on June 25, 1953, the first child of Leo and Phyllis (Ford) Burkard.
Following high school, she received her education from Lakeshore Technical College in Sheboygan. She began her career in the medical field in 1978 through the Sheboygan County Nurses Office, working in the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Program. In 1988, she began working as a medical assistant for the Sheboygan Health Department, assisting with immunizations, the WIC, and vaccine clinics. Her colleagues remember that she was the only one that could calm a nervous child down when it was time to receive their shots. She earned her retirement in September 2015. The year 2020 brought about many changes in Shirley’s life and in the country as a whole due to COVID-19. In true Shirley fashion, she stepped back into her role and continued her service as a medical professional until her second and final retirement in 2023, after 30 years of service.
In her free time, Shirley loved to garden. Above all, she loved spending time with her fur babies, her children, and especially her grandchildren. Her family remembers fondly their summer camping trips in the Kettle Moraine area, and trying out the local supper clubs. She would even bring the children to ride horses at a horse camp near Dundee. She was a wonderful cook, baking birthday cakes and preparing recipes that will be cherished for years to come. She fully embraced her role as grandma, making sure her grandchildren had Legos to play with inside, and the tire swing, rope swings, wading pool and scooters outside. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, the nurses at St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan, and the staff at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay for the care provided to Shirley in her time of need. Their warmth and compassion will not be forgotten.
Shirley is survived by her children: Nancy (Joshua) Hall, Sara (Austin Brill) Rohde, and Amanda MacDuff. She is further survived by her grandchildren Isabella (Caleb Earls) Rohde, Angelo Brill, Alijah Brill, Devin Rohde, Chloe Rohde, Miranda Rohde, Bailey Rodriguez, Logan Rodriguez, and Emilea MacDuff; her step-grandchildren Ciara Brill, Austin Brill Jr., Deja Brill, Nyla Brill, Jada Brill, and Jabrill Murphy; her sister Mary (Michael) Farmer; her niece Michelle (Eric) Bumgardner; and her daughter-in-law Patricia Rohde.
In addition to her parents, Shirley is preceded in death by her son Matthew Rohde, her son-in-law Thomas MacDuff, and Bruce Rohde.
Per family wishes, cremation has taken place and burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sheboygan County Humane Society by visiting their website at https://adoptsheboygancounty.org/.
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