Shirley Ann Casterton was born on October 31, 1937, in Decorah, Iowa, to Richard and Lillie Mae (Aga) Thompson. She was baptized and confirmed at Ridgeway United Lutheran Church in Ridgeway, Iowa.
Shirley's early years were marked by love and learning. From kindergarten through second grade, she attended Lincoln #6 with her mother as her teacher. She completed the remaining years of school at Ridgeway Public School, where she graduated in 1955. During her junior and senior years of high school, Shirley worked part-time as a telephone operator in Ridgeway before being employed by Northwestern Bell in the traffic department in Decorah from 1955 to 1961.
On June 25, 1961, Shirley married James ("Jim") H. Casterton at Ridgeway United Lutheran Church. Together they raised four children: James S., Stephanie, John, and Joel. Shirley considered it a privilege to be a stay-at-home mom during their formative years before working as a sales clerk in various retail stores in Decorah. The last ten years of her employment were at the Highland General Store in Highlandville.
Her dedication extended beyond work into her community life; she was an active member of Highland Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School for many years before becoming a member of Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church. Most importantly, Shirley was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. We were greatly blessed by her kindness and thoughtfulness.
Shirley is survived by her children James S. (Patti) Casterton of Balsam Lake, WI; Stephanie (Jim) Rollins of Mt. Horeb, WI; John (Caitlin) Casterton of Papillion, NE; Joel (Lori) Casterton of Franksville, WI; grandchildren Josiah (Peyton) and Noah Casterton; Julia (fiancé Alex Marcinkowski), Grace, John, and Lily Rollins; Carson Casterton; Drew & Will Casterton; great-grandsons Josiah and Ogden Casterton. She is also survived by her sister Sherry (Don) McDowell; sisters-in-law Belva Fadness and Martha Casterton; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, on Jan. 11, 2017; her parents; her father- and mother-in-law Josiah and Augusta Casterton; brothers- and sisters-in-law Alvin and Edna Swenson, Orville and Palma Wermager, Lawrence and Ethel Casterton, Melvin and Myrtle Noecker, Len and June Olson, Harold Fadness, Bernard and James Casterton.
Funeral services will be held at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church in rural Dorchester, Iowa, on April 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour before the service. Burial will be at the Highland Lutheran Cemetery in rural Decorah, Iowa.
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