Shirley Arneson

Shirley J. Arneson, age 89, of Decorah, IA, died Thursday morning, January 14, 2021 at Barthell O.E.S. Home in Decorah. Private Family Services will be held at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah with Rev. Kurt Bockoven officiating. Burial will be in Big Canoe Lutheran Cemetery. Shirley June (Albertson) Arneson was born on January 22, 1931 to Herman and Ada (Hove) Albertson on a farm in Sumner Twp. Winneshiek County, rural Ridgeway. IA. She was baptized and confirmed at the Lincoln Lutheran Church by Rev. D.C. Jordahl. She attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Ridgeway High School. Shirley was united in marriage with Ralph E. Arneson on August 15, 1949 at the Little brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They were blessed with one daughter, Linda. Shirley lived on a farm most of her life. She helped Ralph with the farming, was a homemaker and she enjoyed the outdoors. Shirley was a member of the Big Canoe Lutheran Church, the Ruth Circle, Ladies Aide and was active in WELCA. She enjoyed helping with annual Strawberry Fests and Lutefisk suppers. Shirley and Ralph retired from farming and moved to Decorah to North Mill Street in 1990. They went on several trips and bus tours, which they really enjoyed. She became a volunteer at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital, both on the Garden Team and at the hospital's information desk. She was recognized with the Iowa Governor's Award for 1000 hours of volunteer service. In her spare time, she bowled and did water aerobics at the Decorah Swimming Pool. She could also be found watching sports on TV, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. One of her greatest joys was having her family come to visit. They were her pride and joy. Shirley became a resident of the Barthell O.E.S. Home on September 26, 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Ada Albertson; her sister, Lucille (Hartvig) Running; brother Earl (Irene) Albertson; two brothers-in-law Paul Arneson and Stanley Arneson; sister-in-law Kathryn (Jerome) Kroshus, niece Martha Graves and nephew Kavin Kroshus. Shirley is survived by her husband Ralph; one daughter, Linda (Bruce) Becker of Nashua, IA; two granddaughters: Amy (Adam) Streeter of Ankeny, IA and Dana (Dylan) Frerichs of Greene, IA; and five great-grandchildren: Rowen, Kentlee and Karsyn Streeter, and Case and Boe Frerichs. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Big Canoe Lutheran Church, 1381 Big Canoe Road, Decorah, IA 52101, Barthell O.E.S. Home, 911 Ridgewood Drive, Decorah, IA 52101 or WMC Hospice, 901 Montgomery St., Decorah, Iowa 52101. Cards and Condolences can be sent to Ralph Arneson, 911 Ridgewood Drive, Apt. 105, Decorah, IA 52101.