Shirley Denning, age 92, entered God’s loving arms on March 17, 2021.
Shirley grew up in Milwaukee. She first got to know her husband, Herman, by writing him letters while he was serving in the Navy during WWII. In September 1948 they married. Shirley was a loving wife and a wonderful mother, raising 5 daughters in West Allis. She and Herman sent them all through St. Paul’s Lutheran grade school and Lutheran high school. Shirley encouraged all her daughters to follow their interests and try their best.
Later, Shirley loved visits with all 22 of her grandchildren and was always eager to hear all about how they were growing and learning in each family. She attended nearly all of their weddings and was thrilled as each great-grandchild arrived.
Watching her daughters’ lives from infancy to adulthood, from becoming mothers, and then to being grandmothers themselves, was a source of endless pleasure for Shirley. She loved to share family news with her children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors. Shirley was blessed with a loving sister, Joanne, with whom she spent each Tuesday running errands, playing golf, going bowling, and doing whatever they had time to do together. Shirley, Joanne, and their brother, Larry always lived nearby each other and all came to live at the same senior living complex most recently. Shirley loved being near her brother and sister and sharing conversations filled with lots of memories of the earlier years of their long lives.
Shirley’s resilience and positive attitude as she faced the challenges and changes of aging was a witness to her strong character and deep faith. She was kind to everyone and taught her family how to love each other and enjoy life. We will miss her and hold her memory in our hearts.
Left to cherish her memory are her five daughters: Kathleen (Gerald) Hanson, Claudia (James) Schroeder, Robin Ruhlig, Paula (Michael) Papa, Lori (Ronald) Zebell; 22 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; her sister, Joanne Sellitto; and other relatives and friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Denning; her brother, Lawrence VandenBusch; her granddaughter, Leslie Zebell, and her great-granddaughter, Alyse Schroeder.
A time of gathering will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin from 10:00 AM until the time of a Memorial Service at 12:00 PM. Inurnment will take place at Highland Memorial Park.
Mom, you will always be loved, remembered and missed.