Shirley Emily (nee Mattice) Rodgers, age 88, of Berlin, WI passed peacefully Thursday, August 13, 2020, after a brief illness, at her home in Berlin, WI surrounded by family.
Shirley was born on August 21, 1931 in the township of Borth, WI to Henry and Lorena (nee Davenport) Mattice of Redgranite, WI. She was the tenth of twelve children.
She attended school in Redgranite and contributed to taking care of the farm at a young age.
She met her husband, Charles, at a Street Dance in Redgranite, Wisconsin and, after a short courtship, the two were married on June 11, 1949. Charles preceded her in death on June 30, 2019 after 70 years of marriage.
Shirley worked for 23 years as a CNA at Berlin Memorial Hospital primarily in the O.B ward with her good friend Joanie Hodge, retiring in 1997. After retirement, she and Chuck enjoyed traveling, gardening, spending time with family, and supporting many community causes.
Shirley and Chuck raised four amazing children; Cheryl Rodgers of Berlin, Sue (Mike) Mrdjenovich of Sheboygan, Tom (Sue) Rodgers of Jacksonville, Fl, and Tim Rodgers (special friend Ginny Wallace) of Berlin.
Shirley was a member and past President and Treasurer of the Berlin Ladies Auxiliary Post 340, a volunteer at the Berlin Memorial Hospital following her retirement, with Chuck - a member of Speed Queen Retirees, an in demand baker of pies for many bake sales, and sold many raffle tickets for American Legion causes. In addition, she frequently contributed to the Berlin Senior Center, often bringing fruit from the trees from her house or baked goods.
Shirley had an unrelenting spirit and was always busy. Her deep love for her family was evident in both word and action. She would jump, full boar, into any project even well into her eighties. She would swing a hammer, push a broom, or drive the lawn tractor whenever anyone needed help. Even if she couldn’t help directly, she would make sure that everyone had plenty to eat, often before serving herself. Her pies, Special K bars, rhubarb crunch, and cookies were a frequent treat and rarely in short supply.
She is survived by her children and a brother, Bob (Wanita) Mattice of Redgranite. Shirley is further survived by six grandchildren, Drew Rodgers of Berlin, Megan (fiancé Ryan Stubbs) Mrdjenovich of Kohler, Eric (Oliva MacDonald) Mrdjenovich of Kohler, Collin Rodgers of Little Chute, Courtney Rodgers of Little Chute, and Jaime Jones of Jacksonville; seven great-grandchildren, Ezra, Hayden, Austin, Sophie, Mikey, Liam, and McKenzie; nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters; Ruth (John) Quimby, Dorothy (Bud) McClelland, Bernice (Kenneth) Johnson, Charlotte (Fritz) Boeck, and six brothers Chuck (Doris), Glen (Esther), Harold (Sylvia), Pete (Dorothy), Alfred (Betty), Ralph (Jewanna) as well as her sister(s)-in-law Joyce Rodgers and Lucille (Pete) Murkley.
Her impact on family, friends, and the community will be deeply missed.
The family would like to thank ThedaCare Hospice and Home Health for their support, especially Angie and Barb with Home Healthcare, and Kristina, Brittany with Thedacare Hospice, as well as Pastor Karin Derenne.
Special thanks also to Mark and Luanne Hodge, and Ed and Sherrie Kirchhoff. A very special thank you to Ginny Wallace for her loving attention at the end.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Berlin Senior Center in honor of Shirley Rodgers.
A visitation will be held at Wiecki-Skipchak on Tuesday, August, 18 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm with service to follow.