Resting in the loving arms of Jesus, Our Savior, Shirley E. Neitzel, passed away October 20, 2018 at the age of 84.
Visitation for Shirley will be held on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, N7199 N. Crystal Lake Rd., Beaver Dam. A visitation will also be held on Thursday, October 25th from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam. The Rev. Philip Heyer will officiate. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens, Township of Trenton, WI.
Shirley Elizabeth Cora (Nefzer) Neitzel was born May 3, 1934 to Hiram and Emma (nee Endlich) Nefzer, town of Addison, Washington County, Wisconsin.
Shirley was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. John’s E & R Church, Kohlsville, Wisconsin. Shirley and her parents moved to Beaver Dam in 1946. She was a 1953 graduate of Beaver Dam High School. After graduation, she worked at the Kiekhaefer Corporation as secretary in the mailing department for 6 years. She married Larry Kay Neitzel on October 16, 1954. She was a stay at home Mom while raising 3 children, except for working nights at the Green Giant canteen for 7 years. She was vice president and secretary of Larry Neitzel Builders for 32 years.
Shirley was an active and faithful member of St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam since 1955. She was a member of the Friendship League and the counting committee. Shirley was on the Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery Board. She was the office manager for 10 years until her semi-retirement. She remained very passionate and dedicated to the cemetery association, and continued to work, assist, train, guide, and support Highland Memory Gardens for its future growth and success.
Shirley was active for many years in the Sno-Kats of Beaver Dam Snowmobile Club, serving as treasurer and secretary. She also was a representative for the club on the Dodge County Association of Snowmobile Clubs. Shirley was a member on the board of the Dodge County Friends of Parks committee. She was a past member of the Badger Antique Car Club. Shirley recently chaired the 65th Class Reunion of Beaver Dam High School. She and Larry’s classmates would still gather monthly for a luncheon and camaraderie. She loved attending and supporting her grandchildren’s stock car races. Shirley enjoyed helping anyone that needed help and especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Shirley is survived by her children: son, Kenneth (Judy) Neitzel of Milwaukee; daughters, Joy (James) Krahn of Beaver Dam and Nancy (Keith) Reamer of Marshall; 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 ¾ years Larry, her parents Hiram and Emma Nefzer, her brothers: Roland (Jane) Nefzer and George (May) Nefzer, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Walter (Donna) Muche and mother and father-in-law Ervin F. and Irene Neitzel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Shirley’s name may be made to St. Stephen’s Legacy Endowment Fund or to Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com
