Shirley Schraeder

Shirley Jean Schraeder, 89, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully Sunday morning, August 5, 2012, at the RiverView Hospital in Crookston. Shirley was born at Munich, North Dakota on June 10, 1923, and was the daughter of Sidney and Jessie Lewin. She grew up in Munich, where she received her early years of education, attended college in Minneapolis, MN, and then taught school in Montana. She later moved to Crookston and was united in marriage to Crookston businessman, Donald E. Schraeder, on June 2, 1944 at Augusta, GA. Don was stationed there while serving with the US Army during WWII. The couple made their home in Crookston, and their marriage was blessed by the births of two daughters, Leslee and Donna. Shirley and her good friend, Lutie Johnson, served as Bluebird leaders when their girls were growing up. She later became a very successful realtor in Crookston, employed for several years at Star Realty and Property Plus, before going on her own. Don was the president of the J.E. Schraeder Company and Viking Bar and Lounge. Sadly, he passed away on April 13, 1971. Don and Shirley built a beautiful home on Lake of Woods in Ontario, Canada over 40 years ago and Shirley continued to spend summers there after Don's passing. She liked to fish for walleyes, go out on wild rice gathering expeditions, and was a very knowledgeable bird watcher. Shirley looked forward to playing cards several times a week with neighbors at the lake, and enjoyed entertaining, whether there or at home in Crookston. Her varied interests included reading, listening to opera performances broadcast from New York City every Saturday, being a patron of the local arts, and participating in a music appreciation and discussion group with several good friends. Shirley's greatest joy and passion was a lifelong love of horses. She was very active in the Red River Valley Horsebreeders Association and the Agassiz Riders, and for over twenty-five years was a beloved figure and judge at horse shows and exhibitions throughout the Midwest. Two of Shirley's horses, San Juan's Pretty Cloud, and her favorite, Irish Lace, were well-known award winners on the show circuit. In 1970 Shirley was honored as the Red River Valley Horsewoman of the Year.



Loving family members include Shirley's two daughters, Leslee Schraeder and her husband, Kenneth Pulver, of Show Low, AZ, and Donna Schraeder of Tujunga, CA; a brother, Bob Lewin of Overland Park, KS; a nephew, Craig (Toni) Lewin of Overland Park, KS; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John "Bud" and Marlys Schraeder of Crookston, MN and their children, Ted (Sue) Schraeder of Gentilly, MN, Linda (Dennis) Dickson of Minnetonka, MN, Marcia (Ronald) Hoistad of Edina, MN, and Jennifer (Todd) Nelson of Land O' Lakes, FL; many other relatives; and her very special friends and caregivers, Jodi Jorgenson, Janna Fanfulik, Lorelei Jorgenson, Shirley Salem, and Tiffaney Persson, all of Crookston, and Jackie Tjossem of Hillsboro, ND. May God bless Shirley's memory. A memorial service for Shirley Jean Schraeder will be held in September. The date and time are unknown and further information will not be available until September. The Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online registry www.stenshoelhouske.com

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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