Shirlee "Shirley" J. Simkowski

Shirlee "Shirley" Simkowski, p assed away peacefully at her home on Monday December 26, 2022 at the age of 95.

Shirley was born June 10. 1927 in Shantytown. She was the daughter of the late Kenneth Roy and Annie (Barnes) Higgins. She grew up in Stevens Point and attended local schools, graduating from P.J. Jacobs High School. On August 30, 1945 she married Leonard L. Simkowski and lived with her parents in Stevens Point until he returned from his military service.

Leonard and Shirley then moved to Millcreek and farmed in the Town of Carson for several years. They purchased their current farm in the Town of Linwood in 1954. They farmed and contracted school buses for the local school district. They owned and operated Simkowski Bus Line for over 40 years. They celebrated nearly 72 years of marriage before Leonard's passing in 2017.

Shirley enjoyed spending time with family and friends, always ready with a meal to welcome visitors. She and her husband enjoyed going to Polka dances, Church picnics and horse pulls throughout the state. Shirley loved the written word, whether she was reading a book, writing in her journals which she maintained for decades or writing letters to many relatives. You always knew it was special when you received a letter from Shirley, she kept you up to date with the weather and what was happening on the farm.

Shirley considered herself the "unofficial" record keeper of newspaper clippings  of activities and events happening in the Town of Linwood. Shirley was a 4 H leader for many years, also involved in Twins Club, Horseman and Snowmobile Clubs. Shirley was an excellent cook and shared her recipes with family and friends around the country. Her love of birds was a joy she had until her passing. You could always find several copies of bird books near each window in the house. Her favorite bird was the Cardinal ( cardinals appear, when angels are near).

Survivors include her children, Donald (Cindy) Simkowski, Loveland, CO., Jerome (Gladys) Simkowski, Junction City, Tom Simkowski, Kodiak, AK, Denise (Clair) Hulce and Dennis (Marg) Simkowski both of Steven Point. She is further survived by 12 grandchildren, Sidney (Carolyn) Simkowski, Tami (Curt) Carstensen, Sam Simkowski, Lisa (Larry) Adams, Nicole (Jason) Deppe, Jacob (Jamie) Simkowski, Raffe Hulce (Ashley Arbagosh), Dacia (Jake) Fletcher, Mackenzie (Shaun) Karaliunas, Karlee Simkowski, Jerney Simkowski and Delaynie Simkowski, along with 22 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Also survived by one sister-in-law Geraldine Higgins and one brother-in-law Ernest Simkowski.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Leonard, one grandson Jeremy Simkowski, one great grandson Ezra Simkowski, and two brothers Richard and Myron Higgins.

The family would like to thank Promedica (Heartland) Hospice, the special assistance from her many care workers and all the friends, families and neighbors who visited her.

Those we love don't go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, so loved, so missed, so very dear.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Friday, December 30, 2022 at the Pisarski Funeral Home of Stevens Point. Deacon Jim Trzinski officiating. Burial will follow in the Linwood Union Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. Friday morning until the time for services. The Pisarski Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com