Shirley Mae Whitaker, 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Stewartville Care Center on November 8, 2011.

Shirley Mae July was born on April 3, 1930 in Harrold, S.D., the daughter of George and Mary (Broeffle) July. She graduated from Stewartville High School in 1948. On February 8, 1954, Shirley married Charles Whitaker in Rochester, MN. They resided in Stewartville where they raised their four children. They celebrated over 50 years together until Charles passed away in March of 2009.

Prior to her retirement in 1994, Shirley had worked at Rochester Methodist Hospital as a unit secretary.  With over 40 years of service at Mayo Clinic, she had a passion for helping others.  She was also very active at Racine United Methodist Church and at the Stewartville American Legion Post 164.  Shirley was an amazing person and was well-loved by all who met her. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2000 and had resided at the Stewartville Care Center since 2004.

Shirley is survived by four children, Rick (Janet) Whitaker of Rochester, Kari Whitaker of Woodbury, Katrina (Bryan) Stephens of Branson, MO, and Traci (James) St.Martin of Zumbrota, six grandchildren, Eric Ptacek, Amanda (R.J.) Ellwanger, William Stephens, and Jake, Braden and Isaiah St. Martin, and a sister, Lenora (Pete) Thompson of St. Michael, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles, two sisters, Ardis and Della and five brothers, Donald, Gordon, Milford, Roy, and George Jr.

A memorial service for Shirley will be held on Saturday Nov. 12, 2011, at 11:00AM the Racine United Methodist Church in Racine, MN with Pastor Glen Holland officiating. A visitation will be held Friday November 11, 2011 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, MN, and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Hamilton Cemetery in rural Racine.

Blessed be her memory.

Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association.

Online Condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com