Nov. 25, 1933 - Feb. 21, 2022
Shirley Mae (Kosloske) Baenen, 88, a native of Sauk Rapids, died Feb. 21, 2022, at St. Vincent’s nursing home in Bismarck, North Dakota, her home for the last several years, after a long struggle with dementia that robbed her memory but never took away her warm and caring personality.
Shirley was born Nov. 25, 1933, and grew up in Sauk Rapids, the second-youngest of three boys and two girls born to Theodore “Ted” and Margaret (Canfield) Kosloske.
Shirley was homecoming queen and head cheerleader at Sauk Rapids High School, Class of 1951. She met her future husband, Jerrold “Jerry” Baenen of Jamestown, North Dakota, at a dance while he was a student at St. John’s University in Collegeville.They married May 29, 1954, and moved in 1955 to Jamestown, where they raised five children. Shirley and Jerry celebrated 62 years of marriage until his death on Dec. 9, 2016.
Shirley ran their business – Town House Liquors – while Jerry went to the University of North Dakota to earn his master’s degree in the mid-1970s. She also enjoyed working at her friend JoAnn Albrecht’s bath shop in downtown Jamestown, volunteering at Jamestown Hospital and singing in the choir at Concordia Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Jamestown.
Besides her love of bridge, Shirley also was an accomplished baker, cook and quilter who made quilts for her grandchildren when they were born. She loved going to casinos and was known for her great sense of humor and infectious laugh.
Survivors include three sons, Jeffrey (Laura), Randall (Deena) and Steven (Amy); two daughters, Kathy (Mark) Ottmar and Julie (Charlie) Jeske; 10 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. She also is survived by her sister, Judy (Jim) Gratke of Laporte. In addition to her husband, Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Jerry, Roger and James “Buzz” Kosloske.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Concordia Lutheran Church of Jamestown, Jamestown Arts Center or Alpha Opportunities of Jamestown.
Funeral will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 28, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Jamestown, North Dakota. Visitation is 4-7:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 27 at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown, North Dakota, at a later date.
Arrangements by Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown.
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