Courtney, Shirley (Bernatz) 1928 - 2015

COURTNEY, BERNATZ, BERG, HANSEN, EUBANK, TRISKA, HENNING

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/21/2015 at 14:49:26

Shirley Courtney, 86 of Decorah died peacefully on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Gunderson Lutheran in La Crosse, WI. She was surrounded by her children.

Shirley was born October 17, 1928 in Decorah to Evelyn (Berg) Bernatz and attended Decorah Public Schools. She was united in marriage to Peter F Courtney on May 3, 1949 at St Benedict’s Catholic Church. Shirley and Pete lived on the Courtney family farm near Bluffton until 1966 when they moved to Decorah. Shirley worked as a bookkeeper for several local businesses. In 1975 she began working at Aase Haugen where she would become the bookkeeper and stay for over 20 years.

Shirley and Pete raised four children. Jeffrey (Kathy Hansen) of Newaygo, MI, Joni (Kent) Eubank of Coralville, Jay (Patricia Triska) Courtney of Coralville and Joel (Elizabeth Henning) Courtney of Waukon. Shirley was also blessed with 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Shirley and Pete loved to dance, enjoying Nob Hill on a Saturday night. In her leisure time, Shirley always loved crocheting, reading and crossword puzzles. Both were also very involved with the Kilties Drum & Bugle Corp.

Shirley was preceded in death by Peter, her husband of 44 years, in 1993 and her mother, Evelyn in 2000.

Shirley had a special friend in Carsten Hovden, also of Decorah. For the last 16 years, they enjoyed each other’s company as they traveled, fished and talked.

A memorial Celebration of Life will be held on May 3, 2015, a date chosen by the children as a tribute to the anniversary of their parent’s life together. Details will be included in the Decorah Newspapers closer to the event.

Source: Iowa Cremations database

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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