Shirley Ann Yonke, Thief River Falls, MN, age 87, passed away on Friday September 29, 2017 at Sanford Medical Center, Thief River Falls with her loving family by her side from complications of Alzheimer's disease.

Funeral service to celebrate Shirley's life will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at Abundant Life Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN, with Reverend Leroy Flickinger.  Burial will follow at Community Cemetery, near St. Hilaire, MN.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 6:00 PM prayer service on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN.  Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Shirley Ann Hanson was born November 10, 1929 at her parent's home in Garnes Township, Red Lake County, MN, to Hans P. and Naomi (Hofius) Hanson.  She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith and attended country school through the 8th grade.

From the age of 14 until her marriage Shirley worked at various household jobs.

At a dance in Plummer, MN, Shirley met her future husband, Leonard August Yonke and on March 17, 1949 they were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. They lived on a farm north of Thief River Falls in Excel Township and together they built a grade A dairy operation along with their 3 sons and daughter which they operated until retirement.

Shirley's interests were: quilting, sewing, gardening, fishing, cooking, baking, competing in baking at County Fairs, 4-H, playing cards, and most especially raising a family and spending time with her grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by her children: Chester  (Marla),  Lennae  (Jim) Kosmatka,  Marvin (Carol),  David (Denise), grandchildren, Jason (Kari),  Scott (Brenda),  Steve,  Brian Kosmatka,  April (Marc) Quillen,  Sheri (Jason) Weig, Josh,  Lucas,  Desirae,  Danielle, Great-Grandchildren, Madison, Carter, Zachary, Evelyn, Jada, Paige, Avery, Archer; twin sister, Norma Swanson; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; parents, Hans and Naomi Hanson; brothers, Harvey Hanson, Harold Hanson, and Allan Hanson; and sisters, Margie Prestebak and Idella Rewertz.