Shirley Ann Grant, 74, of Bloom City, Wis., died Sunday, July 17, 2016, at her home.
She was born June 21, 1942, the daughter of Charlie and Bessie (Steinbrink) Grant in Hillsboro and grew up in Black Valley, near Wilton, on the family farm. Shirley went to the Black Valley School for eight years before attending Wilton High School, graduating in 1960. She worked at Northern Engraving in Sparta, Badger Ammunition Plant in Baraboo, Wis., and Exo Pack in Tomah, retiring in 2008 after 34 years.
On June 29, 1963, Shirley was united in marriage to Larry Lowery, and to this union, four children were born: Betty, Barbara, Penny and Peter. The family attended the United Methodist Church in Wilton. Shirley enjoyed going to movies, dancing, and doing genealogy.
In 1994, Shirley moved to the Bloom City area with Ray Pliner. On Dec. 23, 1964, she joined the Woman’s Relief Corp in La Farge. Shirley became a member of the Woman’s Relief Corp in Richland Center in 2002 becoming president in Richland Center as well as Viroqua. In 2009, she became the department president of Wisconsin and the national president of the corps in 2012. Shirley became a member of the Bloom City United Methodist Church in 2012.
Shirley is survived by her children, Betty (Don) Jefferies of Hillsboro, Barbara (Roy) Shelton of Foreston, Minn., Penny (Dave) Feller of Waukesha, Wis., and Peter (Linda) Lowery of Necedah; nine grandchildren, Cory Koopman, Erin Koopman, Gregory (Kate) Jefferies, Ryan (Jen) Jefferies, Grant Jefferies, JonaLee Feller, Jaden Lowery, Logan Lowery and Paige Lowery; five great-grandchildren, Dustin Koopman Jr., Tyson Farley, Addison and Peyton Jefferies, and Charlie Jefferies; one goddaughter, Marlene Bieri; one godson, EJ Wallace; a special niece, Ruth Olson; and nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Margarette Witcraft and Lucille Grant; three brothers, Charles, Robert and Junior; a brother-in-law, Ellsworth Witcraft; and a grandson, Dustin Koopman.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 22, at Bloom City United Methodist Church, with Pastor Barbara S. Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Champion Valley Cemetery.
A visitation will be at the Pratt Memorial Chapel on Thursday, July 21, from 4–7 p.m., with a Woman’s Relief Corp service at 7 p.m. A visitation also will be held at Bloom City United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m.
The family suggests memorials be directed to the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wis. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements. Online condolences can be made at prattfuneralservice.com.
