Obit: Humke, Shirley A. (1923 - 2013)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Humke, Braun, Bussen, Berge, Humphrey, Topercer, Wittwer, Horn

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 02 Oct 2013

Humke, Shirley A. (1 MAY 1923 - 26 SEP 2013)

Shirley Ann (nee Braun) Humke, 90, Greenwood, passed away in her sleep in the early morning of Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013, at the Clark County Health Care Center, Owen.  Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Immanuel United Church of Christ, rural Greenwood. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to service. Following the service, a luncheon will be held at the American Legion in Greenwood.

Shirley Ann Braun was born on May 1, 1923, in the town of Warner, the oldest child of Emma and Theodore Braun. She attended Greenwood High School, graduating in 1941,  and went on to earn her cosmetology license from the Eau Claire School of Cosmetology in 1942. For the next 40 years, Shirley owned and ran her own business, Perma Wave Beauty Shop, on Main Street in Greenwood. She married her high school sweetheart, Irvin G. Humke, on Feb. 5, 1944. In the same year they welcomed their son, Dennis. While raising a family and running a business, she and Irvin spent time with their friends dancing, traveling to Rural Mail Carrier conventions, yearly fishing trips to northern Wisconsin, and attending their grandchildren's school events. Shirley was a loving grandma to five grandchildren, Michael (Lisa) Humke, Dodgeville, Michelle (Andrew) Bussen, Waunakee, Jennifer (Matthew) Berge, Valders, Heather (Daniel) Humphrey, Madison, and Rachel (Benjamin) Topercer, Edwardsville, Ill. She also enjoyed the antics of her seven great-grandchildren, Brianna Humke, Ryan Bussen, Caroline and Otis Berge, Reese Humphrey, and Joshua and Avery Topercer. Shirley was happiest when the house was filled with the noise and laughter of children. Shirley was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Some of our best memories included long walks looking for spring flowers, celebrating their golden anniversary with a large party, trips to Donnie Decker's, leaf houses, playing in the attic, playing Legos and salt at the table, Saturday morning cartoons on the pull-out couch with Eggo's for breakfast, her home-made Barbie clothes, playing in the toy box, sitting "quietly" at the beauty shop, Greenwood bakery hard rolls, back rubs and reading books before bed, 7-up floats, climbing the apple tree, rolling down the hill in the back yard, her vegetable soup, many vacations throughout the United States, her cut-out cookies, letting her grandchildren help cook whenever given the chance, dressing up in old formals (even Mike), trying on all the jewelry from her many treasure boxes, tea parties, card games, and many others. We were blessed to have her in our lives.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 69 years, Irvin Humke; their son, Dennis (Millie) Humke, Greenwood; her sister and brother-in-law, June (Jack) Wittwer; her sister-in-law, Pat Braun; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul (Rose Caryl) Humke; a brother-in-law, Glen Horn; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Allan Braun. The family would like to extend their thanks for the care provided to Shirley at Ministry Healthcare in Marshfield, and the Clark County Health Care Center in Owen. Their loving attention was greatly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Immanuel United Church of Christ or Alzheimer's Association-Greater Wisconsin Chapter in Shirley's name.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. 

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.