Shirley J Prindle

Shirley J. Prindle, 88, of La Crosse and formerly of La Crescent, MN., passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. She was born in La Crosse on August 11, 1924 to Harris and Lillian (Faas) Hammersberg. She spent her early years with her family in Adams Wisconsin, but moved back to La Crosse with her parents, and sister Doris where she attended Logan High School. She graduated from Logan High School in 1941 and went to work for Western Union. She met Paul Prindle and on January 16th, 1948 was married, and spent the next 22 years providing a loving, caring home with Paul, and raising their five sons. As a family they experienced and shared many wonderful moments together and were glad they were given the time and attention while growing up in those important formative years under Shirleys watchful eye. Shirley decided to get back into the working world in the early 70s and spent much of the following years working at St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse Wisconsin in various areas of the hospital and working for and with local doctors. After the death of her husband Paul in 1979, Shirley continued to work supporting and caring for her younger sons until health issues forced her to retire at the age of seventy. Beside her sons and their extended families, Shirleys love and passions were directed towards reading, ceramics, gardening, and her paintings. She was an extremely gifted and talented person and was always willing to share and give her ceramics and paintings to family and close friends. This usually occurred at the Birthday and Christmas parties she so loved and looked forward to. She also had great affection and love for animals, especially her dogs. They provided wonderful companionship for her throughout her life but were there especially in her later years. We know she also looked forward to visits from the special people who took time to share their pets with her while she was at assisted living and the care center. Those moments helped her get through some tough times and she made sure that those who shared time with her were rewarded with that great smile and light laugh. Shirley and her husband Paul had been longtime members of Prince Of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent. We know she is very grateful and feels blessed to have had the love and support of family and relatives along with so many wonderful friends that helped her through those difficult times. The family would like to also extend a special thank you to the caring, supportive, and professional staff at Onalaska Care Center and Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, especially the hospice unit. You provided comfort and care not only to Shirley, but to our family and relatives as well.

Shirley is survived by her five sons, Mike Prindle of La Crosse, John (Kim) Prindle of Berlin, WI, Jim (Cindy) Prindle of West Salem, WI, Tom (Lorraine) Prindle of Bullhead City, AZ, Paul Bud (Mary) Prindle of Green Bay, WI, one sister Doris (Claire) Rood of La Crosse, eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A celebration of Shirleys life will be held at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. Pastor Michael Woods will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 8:00 A.M. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Shirleys memory to the Coulee Region Humane Society.