Shirley Barenz

Shirley Lee Barenz , age 49, of Grantsburg, WI, passed away Sunday, June 18, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born in Riverhead, New York, on August 24, 1967, a daughter of the late Leland and Isabella (Blair) Barenz.  The family moved to Minnesota when she was an infant.  Shirley attended public schools and was a 1985 graduate of Rush City High School.  She furthered her education at Pine Technical College in Pine City, MN, and Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Cambridge, MN. Shirley’s work history includes being the Human Resources Manager at Plastech Corporation in Rush City and then at St. Croix Forge in Forest Lake, MN.  She then was employed as a cook at various restaurants in the Grantsburg area. A warm, friendly, and hospitable woman, Shirley loved meeting people and having or attending get-togethers.  She was also easy-going, low key, and generous. Shirley was well known for arriving at family and social events “fashionably late.” Shirley loved to cook and bake at home for others.  She also enjoyed fishing and camping, bowling, pool, and playing softball.  She loved her dogs, Annabelle and George. Preceding her in death are her parents, Isabella and Leland Barenz; brother-in-law, Gary Young; and her beloved dogs. Shirley is survived by daughters: Melonie Mack (James), and Tanya Mack (Scotty); grandchildren: Landon Johnson, Lydia Clifford, Maddie Swanson and Hannah Swanson; her companion and best friend, Wayne Giller; brothers: Leland (Carol) Barenz III, and Raymond (Linda) Barenz; sisters: Sharon Barenz, Carol Young, Jeanne Barenz (Leo), and Debbie (Mark) Sjostrom; and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are Lilly (Fehrman) Erickson & family, and the Mack family; as well as other close friends and extended family. The funeral for Shirley Barenz will be conducted at 2:30 pm (visitation 11:00 am to 2:30 pm), Friday, June 23, 2017, at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Grantsburg.  A Celebration of Shirley's life will follow the service at Hummer's Rendezvous in Grantsburg.  Arrangements have been entrusted with Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Grantsburg, WI.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com