Shirley Smolinski, 85 of Thief River Falls, MN formerly of Cokato, MN passed away peacefully on Friday, February 1, 2019 at her residence.

Memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, Minnesota with Rev. Tim Wheatley officiating.

Shirley Marie Hermann was born in a crowded little 3 room house on January 23, 1934 in Leeds, Iowa the daughter of Henry and Lona (Shirley) Hermann. Shirley moved with her family to Sioux City, IA in 1939 and later to Cokato, MN where she attended 7 ^th & 8 ^th grade at the Melquist School. She graduated from Cokato High School in May of 1951.

After graduation, Shirley worked at Yellowstone National Park for the summer and when she returned she got a job in Minneapolis at the Federal Reserve Bank as a proof operator and worked there 1 ½ years.

On June 19, 1954 Shirley was united in marriage to James Smolinski in Cokato, MN and to this union two children were born, Deborah and Jeffrey.  They made their home in Minneapolis. Shirley worked in banking most of her life.

Shirley's family was her pride and joy. She also enjoyed bird watching, sewing, hosting holidays at her house, baking, cooking and doing crafts which she gave as gifts to her family from the heart. She spent many of her later years caring for her parents until they passed away.

She was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN and met many people that became good friends.

Survivors include her daughter, Debbie Tate of Thief River Falls, MN; son, Jeff Smolinski of Oregon; grandchildren, Dennis (Crystal) Tate of Thief River Falls, Melanie (Aaron Athmann) Tate of Little Falls, MN, Drake Smolinski of Oregon; great-grandchildren, Logan Tate, Makenzie Tate, Colton Olson, Lillian Tate, Peyton Tate, Ethan Tate; sister, Ellen Kelly of Plymouth, MN; and many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by parents; brother, Johnny (Arlayne) Hermann; and brother-in-law, Derry Kelly.