Shirlee Pax

Shirlee Mae Pax, age 81, of Luck, WI, passed away with her family by her side on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at the United Pioneer Home in Luck. Shirlee was born on May 22, 1936 in Siren, WI to parents, August and Janet (Facklam) Skuza. Shirlee was born in her family’s two room house, the youngest of six daughters. She grew up on the family homestead in Coomer and attended Coomer Elementary School. Later attending Siren High school and was a member of the Class of 1954. She married William Smith on January 2, 1954 in Frederic, WI.  Shirlee started her adult life as a military wife living in Alaska and Texas before moving back to Northern Wisconsin in 1961.  During their 25 years of marriage they were blessed with six children.  She was later married to Theodore Pax for 21 years. Shirlee was a wonderful caring mother and homemaker for many years before working at the Grantsburg Elementary School as an Assistant Librarian. Shirlee loved flowers and had many beautiful flower beds. Throughout her life she always had some sort of hobby farm raising various animals. She especially loved her chickens and birds.  She was a wonderful cook, baker, gifted seamstress and loved to shop. She was a spunky lady who had a way of putting a fashionable flare in everything she did. Shirlee was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Shirlee is survived by children, Desiree Steinberg of Webster, WI, William “Bill” (Brenda) Smith Jr of Gloucester, MA, Shane (Linda) Smith of Trade Lake, WI, Susan (Billy) Haraldson of Falun, WI, Julie Pfluger of Grantsburg, WI; grandchildren, Amber, Amy, Bill III, Gentel, Gensei, Benjamin, Brennen, Rusty, Corey, Casey, Vince, Mandy, Mitchell, Douglas, Randy, Lydia; 15 great-grandchildren; sister, Phyllis Tschida of St. Paul, MN; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving family and friends. Shirlee was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, June, Lorraine, Dorothe and Joyce; daughter, Gina Marie (Smith) Suggs; and son-in-law, Timothy Briggs. A memorial service celebrating the life of Shirlee Pax has been scheduled for Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 11:00 AM (visitation 10-11:00 AM) at the First Baptist Church in Falun, WI with Pastor Michael Kleven officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com