Shirley Pietz

Shirley Pietz, age 90 of Lakefield, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 24, 2023 at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Lakefield. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakefield with Pastor Andrew Schensted officiating. Visitation will be held from 12-2 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Jackson County 4-H or Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Shirley's honor.

Shirley Naomi Pietz, daughter of Andrew and Oline (Christiansen) Erickson, was born on February 12, 1933, in Badger, Minnesota, oldest of 10 children. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Badger. Shirley attended and graduated from Badger High School in 1950, and the University of Minnesota in 1954, with a degree in Home Economics. She would go on to teach Home Economics at the U of M Ag School in Morris, Heron Lake High School, and Lakefield High School until 1975. Shirley married Curtis Pietz on July 14, 1961. They were blessed with 2 sons Mark and Paul. Together Curt and Shirley farmed in West Heron Lake Township until 1992, when they moved to Worthington, Minnesota. Shirley entered Colonial Manor Nursing Home in 2015, where she remained until her passing on Friday, February 24, 2023, at the age of 90 years, and 12 days.

Shirley was a kind, generous person, always making sure others were taken care of before herself. Shirley and Curtis were a host family to over 20 U of M Ag School Foreign Exchange students between 1971 and 1989. Shirley was a judge for 4-H Home Economics projects at many county fairs in Southwest Minnesota between 1976-1988, an activity she thoroughly enjoyed. She loved to travel, sewing, cooking, and hosting many dinners for family, friends, and the community. She loved spending time with her family, and never missed a dance recital of her granddaughters. Shirley will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 62 years Curtis; sons Mark and Paul Pietz; granddaughters Sarah Pietz and Erica (Taylor) Christopher; sisters Linda (Dale) Monsrud, Lola (Roger) Solheim, and Mona (Michael) Connoy; brothers Russell (Gerry) Erickson, Clark (Harriet) Erickson, Gary (Joan) Erickson, and Kent (Karla) Erickson; sisters-in-law Nancy Pietz and Helen Erickson; brother-in-law Kenneth Magnuson; along with many other relatives and friends.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Oline; sister Lois Magnuson, brother Sheldon Erickson, brothers-in-law Mike Pietz and Richard Jeppesen, and sister-in-law Delpha Jeppesen.

Blessed be the memory of Shirly Naomi Pietz.

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