Shirley Durenberger

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date with interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Shirley Ann Durenberger, our sweet and spunky mom, grandma and great grandma surprised us on Saturday, April 18, 2020 and danced her way into heaven!!   I truly believe she figured that at 90 years of age, enough was enough and made a deal with the Lord above. He graciously agreed and took her to her heavenly home.  I'm sure my Dad, Jack, was excited to see her after being apart for the last 4 years.

I would love to share my beautiful mom with you.  The first thing I think of when she comes to my mind is:  love. My mom, who was a St. Paul girl her whole life (until she moved to Willmar in August of 2019), was extremely smart (a high school graduate), hysterically funny (she never realized she was), excelled as an accomplished seamstress (potholders were her specialty - if you did not get to own one of her potholders, you are missing out), knitted, crocheted and could iron a shirt like nobody's business (something I never could do as well as she).  She had a green left thumb and grew the most beautiful flowers in her garden (peonies and lilies). Mom was always there to listen and ready to help a friend in need in any way she could. Most importantly, Mom LOVED her family. She adored her children, grandchildren and GREAT grandchild and couldn't wait to spend time with everyone - especially for our “themed” Christmas celebrations!

Sports were a huge part of her life.  She was a life-long Twins fan and could hardly wait to see that first pitch of the season.  No matter how bad they played, she would cheer them on. In the apartment where she lived, she had a little figurine of the Twins mascot that sat on a stand outside her door.  If they won, the mascot would face forward, if they lost, that little figurine faced the wall!!! She also had a MN Gopher bobble head that she would do the same thing with. Everyone knew if the Twins or the Gophers won or lost by passing by to see if they were facing forward, or towards the wall!!  She also cheered the Vikings on, always hoping they would one day win the Super Bowl!! My mom also enjoyed going to the casino. She would play the poker slot machine, using only nickels, for hours. Recently we made the trip to the casino and we had a wonderful time together!

Mom was married to my Dad for close to 60 years.  They enjoyed life in St. Paul, living in a couple of different suburbs throughout the years.  Never in my wildest of dreams did I ever think my mom would move to my town of Willmar! She made the decision to move last August.  We found her a nice apartment that was only 8 minutes from my house. We saw each other almost every day and went on fun adventures throughout Willmar together!  (Cub Foods, Robbins Island, Culver's and of course our home on the lake). One of her favorite things to do was "see her new town". She loved being here and we loved having her here.

Missing her more than we can say includes myself, Judy Treptau & my husband, Vic.  Our son Zach and his wife Courtney, who live in Spicer and got to visit Grandma often.  Our 2nd son, Josh and his wife Katie spent alot of time with Grandma when she lived in the city.  They now live in Colorado. Our youngest son, Cody lives in Plymouth and got to spend an entire summer with Grandma in the cities a few years ago.  Such priceless memories! In addition, we have family in the cities - my brother Greg Durenberger and his wife Karen who live in Lakeville, Greg's daughter, Laura Grunow & her husband Ahren and son Ethan, who would love to send Great Grandma custom paintings and drawings.  Last, but not least, Greg's son Rick who lives in Apple Valley, who always enjoyed listening to her stories.

I can't end this memorial without sharing something I know my mom would want everyone to know, using her own words from the biography she recently wrote:  "Let it be known to all that in every situation, Shirley Ann Hislop Durenberger was guided on her journey and loved by Her God".

I love you, Mom.  And I miss you so much. Hug Dad for me.

Your daughter, Judy