Shirley M. Eckholm

Beloit

Shirley Mae Eckholm, 72, of Beloit, Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday, December 6, 2009, in her home with her family at her side.  She was born on November 30, 1937 in Racine, WI, the daughter of Harold and Augusta Due Nelson.  Shirley was a 1955 graduate of Washington Park High School in Racine, WI and received her BA degree from Luther College in 1959 and a Master of Education degree from the University of Missouri in 1968.  She taught Elementary Education in Robbinsdale, MN, Tokyo Japan (USAF), Horicon, WI and was an Elementary and Title I teacher in Beloit, WI.   She married Ivan Eckholm on August 10, 1962 in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Beloit.

Shirley was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, NEA, WREA, BAREA, Delta Kappa Gamma, JOB (Justice Overcoming Borders) and was a volunteer for Caritas, Bookleggers (BPL), Beloit Memorial Hospital Auxilliary Escort, JOB, Hands of Faith and the church lunch program. She enjoyed volunteering, reading, cooking, and entertaining family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Ivan; her son, Hans Fredrik (Sherry) Eckholm of Watertown, WI and her daughter, Kristin Marie (Jeff) Molldrem of West Allis, WI; three grandchildren, Magnus and Lilia Eckholm of Watertown, WI and Andy Molldrem of West Allis, WI; several cousins including  Kurt (Julia) Jensen of Fox Point, WI and Ken (Nancy) Due of Racine, WI, sister-in-law, Arlene Nelson of Littleton, CO and many friends and teaching associates.

She was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Robert Nelson.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 12, 2009, in St. Paul Lutheran Church, 617 St. Lawrence Avenue, Beloit, WI with the Reverend Roger Elliott and Reverend Charles P. Larson officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of service in the church.

Memorials may be given in Shirley’s memory to Caritas, Beloit Regional Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, Bread of the World or the St. Paul Lutheran Church Lunch Program.  The BRIAN MARK Funeral Home & Cremation Services assisted the family.

BRIAN MARK

(formerly Schoenfedl-Mark)

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