Shirley Marheine

Shirley J. Marheine, age 77, of W1309 Old Mill Road, Brantwood, Wisconsin, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at Riverview Health Care in Tomahawk. Shirley was born November 23, 1939 in Santa Monica, California to Julius and Helen (Salmi) Kaihlanen. Shirley moved to the Brantwood area when she was 4. But truly remarkable is what she did with the years between then and now. She embodied the spirit of Sisu. Shirley was a woman who knew how to live and love. A woman who lived for family. A mother of five who loved only one man for almost 58 years. A mom with working hands as hard as leather yet as soft as silk. A proud Finn with radiant blue eyes; though on occasion they were bright jade, which meant you were probably in trouble. She had legendary gardens and could cut up venison and beef so clean and fast it would make your head spin. She was the first to help anyone who needed it and the last to leave cleaning it all up. No one was allowed to leave her house hungry. This included any and all traveling salesmen. She even took in a young man “Tuffy” picked up hitchhiking because he looked down on his luck, sending him off with their last few dollars. She always helped the less fortunate and loved the underdogs. Her holiday meals were massive and brought so many family and friends cozily packed into a house waiting for her announcement that dinner was ready. And everything was on the menu. She was a poster child for doing more with less. She was practical and frugal and would fix everything with a hammer, vise-grips and a screw driver. A repair man was rarely called. Through example taught you should never be afraid to get your hands dirty. “It's not gonna fix itself!” She exhibited work ethic instead of talking about it. She was a mother who could straighten you out with a glare, yet make you understand why with a forehead kiss. She taught that you should speak your mind, but still respect others’ opinions and feelings. She was rich in faith and always spoke of right and wrong. She nurtured her children and grandchildren to be strong, independent, kind, and intelligent. She never let anyone quit and encouraged those she encountered. She said you should never let anyone put you down, but to know that you are not perfect either. She was quick to befriend and gave everyone a chance. Shirley remained superwoman even after her dances with cancer. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and was given 6 months to live. That was 18 years ago. A couple years later she had a recurrence in the same place. Doctors told her she had no more than a year, but she whipped it again. She just kept living and never questioned why. She got to see grandkids and then great-grandkids. She never simply existed. Though illness robbed her of many comforts, she refused to let it take her faith or her spirit. Instead, she chose to live with ferocity and love. She had Sisu. On behalf of the family, please cherish the time you have with your loved ones. And live with purpose, resourcefulness, and Sisu, like she did. Survivors include: Husband, Tuffy Marheine Children, Rebecca Marheine Brantwood Angela (Eric) Carlson Nekoosa Joel Marheine Brantwood Corey (Heather) Marheine Tripoli Colin (Therese) Marheine Tripoli Sisters, Miriam Duellman Bonduel Linda DuBois Tomahawk Victoria (Michael) Steiner Omro, WI Shirley is further survived by 9 grandchildren Kylee Marheine (Rebecca), Kirsten, Laurel (Carlson-Olson), and Nils Carlson (Angela), Drew, Hailey, and Brett Marheine (Corey), Cole and Montana Marheine (Colin) and 4 great grandchildren Malachy, Finley, Crosby, and Harvey Flood (Kylee) and many beloved nieces and nephews.. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother; Ronnie, and a sister, Marilyn. The Funeral Service for Shirley Marheine will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 11:00AM from the Krueger Family Funeral Home. Pastor Jim Langebartels will officiate. The family will receive friends at the Krueger Funeral Home Friday, January 20, from 4:00PM until 7:00PM and again on Saturday from 10:00AM until the hour of services. Memorials are appreciated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.