Shirley Ann (Coenen) Carlson

Shirley Carlson, 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at St. Paul Home, Kaukauna. She was born on June 8, 1931, in Little Chute, the daughter of Henry and Nettie (DeBruin) Coenen. Shirley was united in marriage to Norman Carlson on September 9, 1977, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Kimberly. She was employed with the Kimberly Post Office for over 20 years, the Kimberly School Board for 8 years, and was proud of her time working with Dr. Rosenberg at Lawrence University. Shirley was a devout Catholic and volunteered at Holy Name Parish in various capacities along with teaching 11^th grade religious education.

Shirley’s greatest pride and joy was her children, often touting that she had 12 of them. Her children were of prime importance to her, and she would do anything for them. She was extremely hardworking, strong, and independent. Shirley will always be remembered for her desire to always move forward and press on, no matter what life threw at her, she faced it all with a courage and sense of strength that was unmatched and instilled that same tenacity in her children.

Shirley is survived by 9 children: Deborah Sutton, Nancy Biese, Cheryl Wydeven, Mary (Dan) Fritz, Kay (Donn) Golden, David (Ann) Biese, Lori (Barney) Lopas, Joyce (George) Buege, and Patricia Biese; 21 grandchildren: Jared and Curtis Biese, Andrew (Samantha), Cliff (Jessica), Scott (Mandy), and Eric (Megan) Sutton, Katrina (Sam) Pakala, Sarah (John Ploeser) Probst, Alan (Hailee) and Aaron Wydeven, Kerri (Ben) Hanks, Amy (Steve) Verboomen, Cassy (Kyle) Stefl, Mike, David, and Scott Golden, Lauren and Alec Biese, Justine and Gunnar Lopas, and Cole Canter; many great grandchildren; a daughter-in-law: Susan Biese; a sister-in-law: Aurella Coenen; other relatives and friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; husband; 3 children: Dennis, Janet, and Mark Biese; a grandson: Thomas Sutton; a great granddaughter: Eleanor Pakala; a son-in-law: Frank Sutton; and 5 siblings: Gloria Coenen, Robert Coenen, Julia (Jim) Schuh, Lois (Dave) Pomeroy, and Sharon (Tom) Belling.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30am, on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 600 E. Kimberly Ave., Kimberly. Visitation will be on Saturday at the church from 9:30am until the time of the Mass.