Shirley Ann Stukey

January 17, 1937 – April 10, 2026

Shirley Ann Stukey was born on January 17, 1937, at home in a log cabin in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, to Beatrice (Vincent) and Joseph Kutil. Shirley attended school in Onamia and graduated from Onamia High School. She was united in marriage to Marvin Sims, and they were blessed with three children: Marvin Jr., Terri, and Kathi. Shirley worked hard alongside her family and took great pride in their successful farm on County Road 8.

Shirley was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church. She loved her Lord and her church family. She especially loved the church choir, always letting the choir members know how “beautiful” she found each song. Shirley had a deep love for people, at Lake Song Assisted Living, she was affectionately known as the “Happy Hugger.”

Shirley took great pride in the farm that she and her family worked and cared for over the years. She enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially walking County Road 8 in her bright orange oversized vest, 5 miles a day as fast as her legs would go. An activity that she enjoyed no matter the weather. She loved tending her flower gardens, vegetable gardens, canning the produce, and weeding the pond at the end of the driveway. She could often be found riding her 4-wheeler across the farmland with a big smile on her face with Pooter, her dog, riding along. For over 40 years, she was infamously known as the “Corn Lady” of County Road 8.

On June 17, 1988, she was united in marriage to Ed Stukey. Shirley loved to travel, the longest trip was a sixweek trip to Alaska. During that journey, she took her turn driving the Ford diesel truck pulling a 27 foot fifth wheel camper. Shirley received her pilot’s license at age 55 and proudly flew the tower in Duluth, MN. Shirley traveled to the Virgin Islands, California, Florida, Maine, and Hawaii. By far her favorite trip was to Rome with her grandson, Scott. The memories they made on that trip remained close to her heart until the day she passed.

Shirley passed away peacefully in her apartment at Lake Song Assisted Living, leaving behind a legacy of love, hard work, and faith.

She is survived by her three children: Marvin (Mary), Kathi (Randy), and Terri; her sister, Nila Polinder; her grandchildren: Collin, Tessa, Mason, Evan, Brady, Pete, Pat, Kim, Nicole, Sara, Scott, Shannon, Marv III, and Katie; and her great-grandchildren: Claire, Shae, Weston, Alex, Conrad, Caleb, Kaci, Myka, Taylor, Logan, MJ, and Devin. She will also be missed by her nieces Glenna, Rita, Audrey, Tammie, and Jackie, and nephews Bobby and Gregg.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Beatrice and Joseph Kutil; her brother, Ross; her brother-in-law, Glen; her sister-in-law, Dona; and her husband, Ed.

A Celebration of Life to honor Shirley will take place at Bethany Lutheran Church in Onamia, Minnesota, on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will follow in the church basement, where family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and celebrate Shirley’s life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Mille Lacs Health System Hospice Program, 200 Elm St. N, Box A, Onamia, MN 56359