Shirley Kinnunen

Stoughton- Shirley Kinnunen's struggle with Alzheimer's ended peacefully on June 28, 2018 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. She was born in Anamosa, IA on December 3, 1932 to Howard and Etta Ireland. The family moved to the Madison area in the 1930's. Shirley graduated from Madison East High School in 1950. While enrolled in high school she taught accordion and played in the Burkhalter Accordion Band. Shirley attended Madison Business College from 1950 to 1951 and then worked as a secretary for the UW Foundation. She was one of the founding members of the MARC Center in Stoughton, and served as the director until retiring in 1992. On September 4, 1954 Shirley married Edwin Kinnunen at Bashford Methodist Church in Madison. Shirley and Ed moved to Stoughton in 1959 where together they raised five children. She is survived by her husband, Edwin; children, Karen (Richard) Wood of West Plains, MO, Linda (Barry) Richardson of Grass Range, MT, David (Robin) Kinnunen of Poynette, and Sarah Kinnunen (Howard) Point of Rocks, MD; grandchildren, Alina, Amanda Rose, Kate and Alex; and several great grandchildren. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; and oldest child, Daniel, in 1992. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Covenant Lutheran Church, 1525 N. Van Buren Street in Stoughton. Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon immediately following the services in the church fellowship hall. Friends may greet the family from 10:00 AM until the time of services Saturday at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Covenant Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer's Association are suggested. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Milestone Memory Care, Stoughton Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, and special friends Earl and the late Helen Fossen. Please share your memories of Shirley by posting Tributes.
Cress Funeral Service
206 W. Prospect Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 873-9244