Shirley Jean (All) Tolsma passed away, peacefully, on January 18, 2025 in Fond Du Lac, WI, after a decade long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
There will be a memorial gathering at Annunciation Catholic Church in Fox Lake on Friday, January 24, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. John Radetski officiating. Inurnment will be at Annunciation Cemetery in the Town of Trenton.
Shirley was the daughter of Lawrence & Marguerite (Sandmire) All. She was born in the Township of Alto, WI on August 19, 1937. She spent her early years growing up and attending schools in rural Oakfield, WI (1 room schoolhouse) and Waupun, WI. After leaving school she worked for several years at Huth & James Shoe Factory in Waupun, WI. Later on in life she worked seasonally at Jung’s Seed Company in Randolph, WI and Friday Canning Company in Cambria, WI.
Shirley met the love of her life, Merlin, at a quaint beer joint on Hwy 33 outside Fox Lake, WI. After a brief courtship they were married on June 9, 1956 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Fox Lake, WI. They were happily married for 68 years, raising 6 children together.
Mom had many hobbies over the years. When her kids were still at home she had a huge garden filled with vegetables and fruit that she would can each fall. She made the best from scratch apple crisp, lasagna, Thanksgiving dressing, pies and bread. She was a master cook in the kitchen. She believed in serving well cooked meat. Cooked so well, we would never get food poisoning because all the germs were obliterated.
Mom enjoyed searching for and trying new recipes. She had photo albums and notebooks filled with recipes she found in newspapers and magazines. During the 80’s she attended a cake decorating class at Moraine Park Technical College in Beaver Dam, WI. She took great pleasure in the skills she learned there. She was always happy to bake and decorate birthday cakes for her loved ones.
When Mom wasn’t busy running and maintaining our home, she enjoyed sewing her version of Care Bears and Cabbage Patch dolls for her youngest daughter and granddaughters. She had a fondness for a juicy romance novel and True Story magazines. Later in life she would donate and purchase grocery bags of used books from the Fox Lake Public Library.
Mom loved playing games with her family. She could beat you ruthlessly at Gin Rummy, and spend quiet times enjoying Solitaire. After a drink or two she would get the giggle fits, which everyone found adorable. During laugh filled games of UNO she would think she was winning. That was because she kept dropping her cards on the floor, forgetting it was her turn, or trying to go when it wasn’t her turn.
Starting in the late 70’s our parents started traveling all across the USA, this lasted until health issues kept them from venturing too far from home. Mom had a life long love of country music with Loretta Lynn being her favorite singer. During her Alzheimer’s battle she developed a deep affection of all things Dolly Parton. Their shared love of country music played a big influence on their vacations. Mom’s favorite vacations were spent in Branson, MO and Nashville, TN, where she enjoyed attending concerts of her favorite country music artists. Closer to home she enjoyed country shows at the Crystal Grand Theater in Wisconsin Dells and the Dodge County Fair.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 68 years Merlin, Fond Du Lac, WI; children, Jeffery (June) Tolsma of rural Randolph, WI, Robert (Catherine) Tolsma of rural Fond Du Lac, WI, Timothy Tolsma of Fond Du Lac, WI, Constance (Robb) Bisby of Neenah, WI & Jill (Thorton) Ridder of Woodbury, MN. Grandchildren; Elizabeth (Erik) VanBeek of Brandon, WI, Jenifer (Jeff) Derksen of Waupun, WI, Dyane (Kevin) Foat of Neenah, WI, Rachel (Brian) Day of Neenah, WI, Mark (Cassie) Tolsma of Neenah, WI and James Tolsma of Fond du Lac, WI. Great Grandchildren; Emrich, Ethan & Ella VanBeek, Brooke & Addison Derksen, Claire & Jeffy Foat, Ava & Brody Beiser and Mason Tolsma. Her Uncle Richard Sandmire, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Shirley is preceded in death by her son Michael Tolsma, parents Lawrence & Marguerite All, brother Gerald All; sisters Betty Posthuma, Arlene Smolen, infant Mary All, Nancy Engel, Patricia Wiersma & Anita Miller, in-laws, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, American Heart Association or your local Humane Society.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at St Francis Terrace in Fond Du Lac, WI. The last years of our Mother’s life was filled with compassion, respect and dignity. We can never put into words how much your dedication to caring for others means to us. Thank you!
The family wants to thank our extended family and friends who have been there with us during this difficult journey. Your compassion, support, advice and love has sustained us and we are forever grateful to you.