1939
Shirley
2024
Shirley Stokes
May 2, 1939 — September 23, 2024
Shirley Jane Stokes (nee Cole), age 85, beloved wife and mother, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024, at home in Verona, Wisconsin.
Mom was truly a force of nature; our family's touchstone and we called her a cat with many lives. Among many challenges were surviving a workplace bombing and 3 types of cancer, including stage 3 colon cancer and a permanent colostomy. With her tenacious attitude, she led an ostomy support group and instructed new ostomates to embrace life. At age 58, we proudly celebrated her WITC college degree. For many years, she volunteered and then managed the first animal shelter in Barron County, Wisconsin; always putting the animals' needs first, often to the detriment of inept humans who got in her way.
Mom was a proud Army wife for more than 20 years; in charge of overseeing our many moves across the country and world. She would say, “I’ve got an idea…” and we knew we were in for a challenge, a new direction or an innovative way of doing something. She was a fabulous cook and baker, and her Christmas goodies are a treasured memory for us all.
Mom and Dad recently celebrated 67 years of marriage, and we are blessed with their example of respect and love for each other and family. She is survived by her husband, Orville P. Stokes, children Leanna Stokes-Keevil (Brad), Elizabeth Hausmann-Stokes (Huck), and Kevin Stokes (JoDene); grandchildren Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, Emily O’Brien (Sean), Kayla DeShane (Austin), Taylor Horn (Preston), and Carson Romano (Nick); great grandchildren, Phoenix Jack Horn, Riley O’Brien, Celeste O’Brien, Nora O’Brien and Sloane DeShane. She is also survived by her sister Judith Watters and many other cherished relations. She was preceded in death by her sister Ruby Edwards.
A celebration of her remarkable life is being planned. Mom cared deeply for all animals. If you would like to honor her memory, please donate to your local animal shelter or organization. Fly free Mom until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge…!
Mom was truly a force of nature; our family's touchstone and we called her a cat with many lives. Among many challenges were surviving a workplace bombing and 3 types of cancer, including stage 3 colon cancer and a permanent colostomy. With her tenacious attitude, she led an ostomy support group and instructed new ostomates to embrace life. At age 58, we proudly celebrated her WITC college degree. For many years, she volunteered and then managed the first animal shelter in Barron County, Wisconsin; always putting the animals' needs first, often to the detriment of inept humans who got in her way.
Mom was a proud Army wife for more than 20 years; in charge of overseeing our many moves across the country and world. She would say, “I’ve got an idea…” and we knew we were in for a challenge, a new direction or an innovative way of doing something. She was a fabulous cook and baker, and her Christmas goodies are a treasured memory for us all.
Mom and Dad recently celebrated 67 years of marriage, and we are blessed with their example of respect and love for each other and family. She is survived by her husband, Orville P. Stokes, children Leanna Stokes-Keevil (Brad), Elizabeth Hausmann-Stokes (Huck), and Kevin Stokes (JoDene); grandchildren Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, Emily O’Brien (Sean), Kayla DeShane (Austin), Taylor Horn (Preston), and Carson Romano (Nick); great grandchildren, Phoenix Jack Horn, Riley O’Brien, Celeste O’Brien, Nora O’Brien and Sloane DeShane. She is also survived by her sister Judith Watters and many other cherished relations. She was preceded in death by her sister Ruby Edwards.
A celebration of her remarkable life is being planned. Mom cared deeply for all animals. If you would like to honor her memory, please donate to your local animal shelter or organization. Fly free Mom until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge…!
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Stokes, please visit our flower store.
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Visits: 24
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors