Shirley Ann Kazemba, 93, passed away from this world and was welcomed into heaven on February 23, 2025, at the Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington, Mn. She was blessed to be surrounded by her loving family and will be fondly remembered for her strength, generosity, feisty and loving spirit, deep devotion to God, and her joy and love for children. She touched many lives with her giving heart and will be greatly missed.

Shirley was born on May 23, 1931, to Elmer and Mary (Matheis) Kollasch in Bancroft, Iowa.  Growing up, she was an excellent student with a quick mind and an aptitude for math. She graduated from Ledyard High School in 1948, first working for the local telephone company and then moving to Fairmont to work at Montgomery Wards, where she was promoted to bookkeeper. Later, she moved to Denver with friends where she worked as a bank teller but moved back home to Iowa when her mother suddenly became ill. As fate would have it, she met the love of her life, Arnold Kazemba, at a dance at the Roof Garden in Okoboji Iowa. Shirley married Arnie, on August 12, 1959, at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Lakefield, Mn. That special first dance led to a 55-year marriage full of love, happiness, and of course dancing.

Shirley enjoyed raising her family and living the "farm life" for many years.  Her passions included caring for her children and grandchildren, flower gardening, cooking, and baking.  She loved serving others and would always have a cup of coffee and some delicious baked good ready for anyone who stopped by. Everyone looked forward to her weekly Sunday dinner featuring roast beef, mashed potatoes, and her famous gravy, as well as homemade cherry pie.  Throughout her life, she was deeply committed to her Catholic faith, living it each day with thoughtful acts of kindness. In her retirement years she enjoyed playing cards with her friends and volunteering at St Mary's Church, St Mary's School, Meals on Wheels, the Blood Drive, the Food Shelf, and as Funeral Chair.

Shirley is survived by her four children, James (Kimberly) Kazemba, Round Lake, MN; Dawn (Marc) Freese, Fulda, MN; Jane (Melvin Jr.) Janssen, Bigelow, MN; and Mary Witt, Brookings, SD; her 18 grandchildren, Katherine (Nick) Moffenbier, Christine (Jacob) Sydow, Rebecca (Kevin) Schrader, Stephanie (Henry) Lau, and Christian, Faith, Hannah, and Rachel Kazemba;  Brittany, Anthony (Shelby), Alexis, Nicholas, and Ashley Freese; Nicole (Ryan) Kisicki,  Sarah (Joseph) Miller, and Kyle Janssen; and Kia and Carissa Witt; her eight great grandchildren; Avery, James, and Grace Moffenbier; Nolan Schrader; Seraphia and George Miller; and Simon and Henry Kisicki.  She is also survived by her brother James Kollasch, Bancroft, IA, and her brother-in-law Eldon Kazemba, Lakefield, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Jeffrey Scott; her sisters, Delores Roethler, Helen Garry, and Wilma Muller; her brother, Phil Kollasch; and brother and sister-in-law Kenny and Eunice Kazemba.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sunset Hospice Cottage, St Mary's School, or a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 1 from 10 am to 11:30 am at St. Mary Catholic Church, in Worthington. Funeral Mass will be Saturday at 11:30 am at St. Mary Catholic Church, in Worthington, officiated by Fr. James Zimmer & Deacon Vern Behrends. Burial will be in the Worthington Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Dingmann Funeral Home, in Worthington, is in charge of arrangements.