Shirley Ehrlich

Shirley Mae Ehrlich, age 87, of Spicer, died Saturday morning, March 25, at Bethesda Grand Nursing Home in Willmar.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, at Hope Presbyterian Church in Spicer. Interment will be in the Spicer City Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to the River of Hope Youth Center.

Shirley was born April 24, 1929, in Litchfield, Minnesota, the daughter of Carl and Edith (Olson) Larson. She grew up and attended country school south of Atwater. She then worked for a local farmer near Atwater and later for S & L in downtown Willmar and the telephone company. Shirley was the operator working the night that Willmar switched from a switchboard to a direct dial system. On March 17, 1956, Shirley married Robert G. Ehrlich and they made their home on Nest Lake near Spicer.

Shirley was a member of Hope Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon and acolyte coordinator, and also made many cakes for funerals over the years. She was also a member of the Zuhrah Shrine Auxiliary and the Spicer American Legion Auxiliary. She was extremely proud of her Swedish heritage. Shirley enjoyed crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, sewing, and playing cards, especially Solitaire. She also loved animals, having many pets and enjoying birdwatching. Shirley enjoyed having company and was always prepared with coffee and cookies. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her two children, Bob (and Julie) Ehrlich of Atwater, and Nancy (and Michael) Throlson of Avon; three grandchildren, Kyle Ehrlich, Beth Throlson, and Matthew Throlson; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert in 2016; and a brother, Sidney Larson.

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