Shirley Dolores Skree

Shirley Dolores Skree, 81, died on Wednesday March 3, 2010 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Deb and Tom Stilin. She was born July 31, 1928 in the Caledonia Hospital to Alfred and Alice (Nerison) Carlson. She was raised on Fort Ridgley in rural Houston and attended country school there. Shirley was confirmed at the Bethany Evangelical Free Church in 1941 and graduated from Houston High School in 1945. At this time her family moved down to a farm in Badger Valley where she became acquainted with her next door neighbor, Darrel A. Skree. The young couple was married September 23, 1950 at the Houston Lutheran Church by Rev. O. A. Anderson. After high school and during her early years of marriage Shirley worked at the Houston-Money Creek Co-op Creamery, Thomas A. Flynn's Law Office and Ace Telephone. She loved sewing, ironing, needlework and crafts; gardening, flowers, cats and birds. She was also known for her elaborately decorated cakes and fancy desserts. As a member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church she was a long time member of the ALCW, WELCA, Circle, and also the Craft Club for many years. She also belonged to the Badger Homemakers and the Arnet-Sheldon Legion Post #423 Auxiliary. In her later years she realized a lifelong dream of learning how to tat. After Darrel's death she continued to live on the farm with her son, Jim, until suffering a stroke in April of 2008, after which she was lovingly cared for by Deb, Tom and the girls at their home in Houston. Shirley will be remembered for many things including her love of home and family, gentle and caring manner, sense of humor and her natural ability to make people feel at ease. Shirley is survived by her five children: Jeffrey Skree of Mesa, AZ; James Skree of Houston; Douglas Skree of Tempe, AZ; Debra (Thomas) Stilin of Houston; and Gary (Marion) Skree of Rushford, MN; seven grandchildren: Nick, Shane, Cody, Dawson and Savannah Skree, and Audrey and Sophia Stilin; and a great-grandson: Carter Skree. Also a sister: Lylah Dragvold of Spring Grove, MN; and three sisters-in-law: Darlene Carlson of Winona, MN; JoAnn Carlson of Houston; and Genevieve Skree of LaCrescent, MN; a brother-in-law: Gifford (Marjorie) Skree of Houston; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Darrel; three brothers: Kenneth, John and Leonard Carlson; three brothers-in-law: Fergus Happel, Gerald Dragvold and Robert Skree; and a nephew, Dennis Happel.
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