Shirley Ann Williams passed away at the Parmly Nursing Home in Chisago City, Minn. on Aug. 12, 2006, at the age of 85.

She was born in St. Croix Falls, Wisc., the first child of Everett (Pat) and Friederique Cain.

Shirleyís living siblings are Jeanne Davis of Roseburg, Oreg. Patricia Jenson of Luck, Wisc., and Jerry Cain of Puyallup, Wash. A sister Lois Trujillo, brother Daryl (Spike) Cain and a half sister, Clarice Schulte and the spouses of all the sisters and brothers have passed away.

In 1939 she married Wallace Williams. Shirley and Wally lived in several different place in Taylors Falls, Minn. Wally worked for the Taylors Falls Creamery. During this time their daughter Vonnie was born.

In 1943 the Williams purchased a farm a few miles from Taylors Falls. They had a full, rich life living close to relatives ñ a good place to raise a family. Robert (Bob), their son, was born in 1944. Farming has always been hard, but it was especially so during those times. So many high hopes only to be let down by failing crops. They gave up on Mother Nature and the disappointments of farming and moved back into Taylors Falls. Wally went to work in road construction and Shirley had her first employment outside the home. She worked at the Falls Cafe.

Shirley and Wally worried about being separated by the construction work and raising their kids in the ìcity.î They rented another farm vowing not to be so naive as to think farming alone would support a family. Wally hauled milk for Shafer Creamery. Shirley worked at the St. Croix sewing factory and later a sewing factory in Minneapolis, Minn.

Shirley didnít like working in Minneapolis and she really disliked driving back and forth. She found employment with Chisago County as a family service coordinator; this was a dream job for her as she was the happiest when she could help people. She was always a caregiver. She gave information, understanding, support and love to ìher clientsî and they gave that love back to her.

In 1961 they bought their house in Palmdale. After many years of hard work and money, they had the place looking like a park. There were many happy events, gatherings and holidays in Palmdale. It was during this time that Shirley found the joy of her life ñ Camping. They bought a small trailer on a lake near Siren, Wisc. She was in heaven on earth when she was at ìthe Lake.î She loved to cook, to fish and to play cards. She had it all there.

They bought a mobile home in North Branch, Minn. Wally died in 1996 and Shirley filled her life by volunteering, making friends, playing cards, growing her flowers and enjoying her wonderful neighbors and family. She had to give up her mobile home because of failing health. Shirley had many illnesses and accidents in her lifetime, especially in the later years.

She moved into Country Comfort, an assisted living home in Lindstrom, Minn. The care was very good, but because there were only a couple of residents living there, she was lonely ñ not enough folks for conversation and cards. Shirley decided to move to the Meadows on Fairview in Wyoming, Minn. Before she could get everything in place, she fell and fractured her pelvis. She spent three weeks at Parmly Nursing Home to recuperate, but her body kept getting more painful and weaker with each passing day. God must have thought she had had enough pain and suffering, so He took her home.

She is survived by her daughter, Vonnie Durham and husband Dale of North Branch and son Robert (Bob) Williams and wife Jo of Taylors Falls; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Shirley was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Taylors Falls for many years. She was buried in Kahbakong Cemetery on Aug. 17, 2006 with Pastors Scott Adams and Marvin Palmquist officiating.

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