Shirley Jean (Blanchette) Konell, age 83, longtime resident of Two Rivers, passed away Monday morning, June 13, 2022, at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center in Manitowoc. Shirley was born in Marinette on June 30, 1938 to Victor and Sadie (Terriault) Blanchette. She lived her early years in Marinette, attending local schools. She graduated from Marinette High School with the class of 1956. On July 7, 1956, she married the love of her life, Norbert Konell. In 1961, the couple moved to Two Rivers where Norbert started working for Paragon Electric Co. in the maintenance department. Shirley joined Norbert at Paragon the following year, starting as an assembler and eventually working her way up to lead set-up, holding the position until her retirement in 1994. She then worked part time as a bartender at Dick's Wonder Bar, where she made lots of friends. She was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary since 1964, serving as a past president, and also a member of the VFW Auxiliary since 1989. Shirley had the most amazing husband. They traveled a lot and had a great time. After the death of her beloved husband, she met a great friend and former co-worker, Mary Lau. Shirley and Mary became very close friends and did an amazing, extensive amount of travel managing to see 48 out of the 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and 11 European countries. Mary's family became like her own: Russ Lau, Wendy Bohman, Matt and Kelly Lau; her grandkids: Stephen and Alyssa Leffew, Alicia Bohman, Marcus Bohman, Makayla Lau, Hope Konen, and Hope's children, Jada and Drake. Shirley is survived by her sisters: Ethel LeBlanc of Wausaukee, and Janet Corey-Wahl of Ingalls, MI; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert; her parents, Victor and Sadie Blanchette; three brothers: James, Joseph, and Richard Blanchette; three sisters: Lorraine Corey, Pearl Tessmer, and Elizabeth Mullins; her in-laws, Bernard and Anna Konell; brothers-in-law, Raymond Konell, Andrew Konell, Ronald Konell; and sisters-in-law, Aileen White, Avis Taddy, and Lucy Konell; along with other family and friends. A funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2022 at the Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels, 1506 18th Street, Two Rivers, with entombment to take place in the Knollwood Chapel Mausoleum, Highway 310, Manitowoc. The family will greet relatives and friends at Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels, Monday evening, June 20th, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nursing staff at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center and the caregivers of Rivers Bend Health & Rehabilitation for the wonderful care provided.

Posted online on June 16, 2022

Published in Herald Times Reporter