Casebere, Shirley Arlene (Pohl) 1925 - 2017

CASEBERE, POHL, BREDESEN, OTTE, PARMENTER, KIDD, DEEREN, ELIOPOULOS, TAVOULARIS, KUECHENMEISTER, BARNES, GONNERING

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:42

Shirley Casebere got her wish. With the help of Winneshiek Hospice and her youngest daughter, Mary, she was able to die both peacefully, and at home. She died on the morning of Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, at the age of 92 years.

Shirley Arlene Pohl was born in Mankato, Minn. Oct. 24, 1925, in the home that her father built for his family at the top of Main Street Hill. William George Pohl and Susan Cornelia Bredesen welcomed their new daughter, who joined a brother, Wilbur, at home.

Shirley spent all of her childhood and school days in Mankato, among the company of many friends and cousins. She loved to sing and play the piano, bake, sew, ride horses and spend time out at her grandparents’ farm, just a couple of miles out of town. Although the Depression made times tough, she always said that they made their own fun and entertainment, enjoying house parties and dances with local, family bands.

After graduating from Mankato High School, she worked at Hubbard Milling as a secretary, before being introduced to Milton Casebere by her friend, Irene, who was Milt’s cousin. She was delighted to be swept off her feet by her handsome soldier, and they were married Easter Monday, April 22, 1946, at Grace Lutheran Church. Three girls came along, Susan, in 1948, Paulette (Polly), in 1950, and Mary, in 1955. Young friends, Diane and Steve Deeren, later became part of the family in Mankato.

Besides her busy life as a homemaker, Shirley worked for many years as a receptionist and assistant for Alton and Evelyn Lindblom Opthamology in North Mankato, and later in the optometry department at Younkers in Des Moines.

Wherever she and her husband went, the Church was always an important part of their lives. Many of her dearest friendships were made there.

Shirley was always a welcoming hostess, and loved to cook and bake cakes to celebrate weddings and birthdays. Her cake parties on her own birthday were a feast of flavor, with several varieties to choose from, or “have a small piece of each,” as was often the Casebere custom.

In 1985 Shirley and Milt returned to Mankato to retire and help take care of her parents, before eventually moving to Decorah, so her children could do the same.
Traveling to visit friends and family was always an important part of their lives. Many of their Des Moines St. Stephen’s Church friends became part of the “Senior Campers,” and Mom and Dad spent many happy hours on excursions with them.

After her husband, Milton, died in 2011, Shirley moved in with her daughter, Mary, in Decorah, and Mary devoted these last years toward giving her a loving home in which to spend her remaining days.

Shirley leaves behind her three daughters and their families: Susan and Lyle Otte of Decorah, Polly Casebere and Harry Parmenter, of Carrollton, Ga., Mary Kidd, of Decorah and Mankato kids, Diane and Steve Deeren. Grandchildren include Kristina Otte (Louis Eliopoulos) and their children, Kate and Linnea, of Morton Grove, Ill.; Michael Otte (Nia Tavoularis) and their children, Andrew, Helen and Georgia, of Skokie, Ill.; Anja Kuechenmeister (Jason Barnes) of Atlanta, Ga.; Teresa Kidd, and daughter Megan, of Decorah; Brian Kidd, of Waxhaw, N.C.; Andy Deeren (Rebecca Gonnering), of DeSoto, Ill.; Daniel Deeren (Kim), of Big Lake, Minn.

A memorial service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah will be scheduled for later in January. We welcome any gifts in her name to Winneshiek MC Hospice, 901 Montgomery St., Decorah, IA 52101.

Source: Decorah Newspapers Dec. 11, 2017