Obituary of Shirley Olsen Horn

Shirley (Olsen) Horn, age 90, passed away peacefully and with dignity on October 29, 2020 due to dementia and natural causes. She was born on January 23, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to Melvin and Theresa Olsen.

Shirley loved people and being socially active. She enjoyed visiting and learning about the lives of others. In recent years, she regularly attended social activities in both her senior housing and church fellowship gatherings. Shirley loved being around her family and watching her children and grandchildren bloom.

Throughout her life, Shirley loved the outdoors and many activities including gardening, being with her dogs, camping, fishing, cross-country skiing, and being in the Civil Air Patrol. She enjoyed picnics, backyard bonfires, and the Northwoods. If she was inside, you would find her cooking, sewing, and completing lots of knitting and crocheting projects. Shirley’s professional career started at a young age when she worked at ad agencies in Chicago and Dallas. After raising her children, Shirley held various positions at the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation in Rhinelander, Wisconsin and truly enjoyed all of her co-workers. She enjoyed her many retirement years in Anoka, Minnesota.

Shirley is survived by her son Carl and his wife Julie (Minocqua, Wisconsin) their two children, (grandson) Andrew Horn and (granddaughter) Katelyn Horn and her baby daughter (great-granddaughter) Penelope Rettig; and Shirley’s two daughters Karen Keast, and Linda Sheils, including Linda’s three children, (grandson) Patrick Sheils, (granddaughter) Kathrynn Sheils, and (grandson) Nathan Sheils-Stalson. Shirley was proud of her family and cherished them deeply in her heart. Her children will remember her for her words of wisdom, encouragement, and comfort as well as her stories, engagement, and laughter.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 20 years, Mahlon Horn, and by her loving brothers and sister, Melvin, Ralph, and Larraine Olsen; and also preceded by (baby grandson) Joseph Horn of parents Carl and Julie.

In her later years, Shirley’s membership at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Anoka enriched her life. She made many friends there and loved worship and learning about God the Father and Jesus, her Lord and Savior. We are comforted knowing that she is in a better place.

Struggling with dementia and old age, Shirley resided at the St. Anthony Nursing Home and Rehab Center, where she passed. During this time of COVID-19, a private church memorial service will be held at a later date to-be-determined. Her ashes will be buried with her mother and father in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Anoka, www.mtolive-anoka.org