Shirley T. Lohse, age 85, of Isanti died December 19, 2020 in Minnetonka. A private funeral service will be held. Interment will be in Athen’s Lutheran Cemetery.
A beautiful angel gained her wings on 12/19/20 after battling brain cancer.
Shirley was born July 2, 1935 in Wendell, Minnesota to Thomas and Sophie (Berg) Germundson. She graduated from Elbow Lake High School. On July 3, 1955 Shirley was united in marriage to Lyle Lohse, and they made their home in the Minneapolis area. In 1970, they moved to a farm in the Isanti area, where they raised their family. On the farm, Shirley partnered with Lyle to run the business by managing the finances, running parts/fuel to the field, and keeping everyone well fed.
She and Lyle loved to dance, especially to polkas. They belonged to a square dance club for a number of years. They also enjoyed traveling, making many camping trips “Up North”, seeing lots of the United States, and spending winters in Arizona
Uff-da, Shirley was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and especially enjoyed having lefse and krumkake for Christmas! Her hobbies included gardening, canning/preserving, and finding great bargains at garage sales. She grew her own grapes, which she used to make the best grape jelly. Shirley was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, where she actively volunteered in the office up until COVID and performed altar guild duties for many years.
She will be lovingly remembered as a wonderful mother and even better grandmother by her son, Wayne Lohse; daughter, Michele (Greg) Cooper; grandchildren, Laura (Alex) Santiago and Geoffrey Cooper. She is also survived by brother, Russell (Diane) Germundson; sisters-in-laws Lyla Kleven; Melvina Germundson; LaVonne Germundson; brothers-in-laws, Bob (Susie) Lohse; Tommy Homme; and also by other many nieces, nephews and friends. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Lyle; son, Greg; siblings Arnold, Orris, Odie, Gerald and Judith.
Tom Hanson says
Shirley was a wonderful woman and had alot of spirit, She will be missed dearly!!!
Linda Dingbaum says
Dear Michele, I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Christa Ramberg says
Michele and Family,
Am sorry to about the loss of your mother/grandmother. You are in our thoughts and prayers. The Rambergs
Diane Christensen says
Michele…what a great photo. That is the smile we will always remember seeing as we folded the bulletins on Friday mornings. I remember the morning she came in wearing a sweatshirt she had found at Shalom from Geoff’s college….it said “Gramma”. She was so excited! She was so proud of her grandkids. FAITH will miss her.
Annie Stauffer says
I am so sorry for your loss. I loved getting to chat with Aunt Shirley on the phone while I was visiting my grandfather (Russ). I remember visiting her 27-28 years ago when I was 5 or 6, and somehow I got hurt. She immediately brought me inside and put aloe on me from her plant in the kitchen. Since I became an adult with my own house, I’ve always had my own aloe plant and used it for everything, and I always think of her when I use it!