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Shirley Mae Kirkens

Shirley Kirkens

HARVEY, MI — Shirley Mae Kirkens, age 85, of Harvey, entered eternal life Monday, October 14, 2019, at her home, in the loving, comforting care of her family and caregivers of Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice.

Born September 12, 1934, in Escanaba, a daughter of Cecil and Monica (McManus) Gonder, Shirley was raised in the Manistique area and graduated from Manistique High School, Class of 1952. She met and married Norvin LeFebvre and together the couple established their home in Grand Marais and began raising a family, which eventually included five children. The couple owned and operated LeFebvre’s Fish Market and Bakery in Grand Marais, where Shirley was known as the sticky bun queen, for her specialty, sticky buns. Her delicious creations even made it to an article in the Free Press. Following Norvin’s death, Shirley married Vern Kirkens and helped raise 3 step-children. Later on in life, Shirley and her significant other, Dick Crawford, loved wintering in Florida. Dick and Shirley enjoyed four-wheeling and, in her spare time, Shirley loved crafting and crocheting.

Shirley is survived by four daughters, Jodee (Tuffy) Burton of Helmer, Kaleen (Kevin) Vanatta of Newberry, Lisa (Jeff) Converse of Marquette, and Linell McLaughlin of Marquette; a step-son, Kevin (Suzanne) Kirkens of Grand Marias; a step-son, Kim Kirkens of Kalamazoo; her grandchildren, Paul (Dawnica) Burton of Newberry, Brooke (Nathan) Neeb of Newberry, Holly Burton of Helmer, Michelle (Trent) Vruggink of Newberry, Krista Vanatta of Newberry, Nathan (John McNamara) Vanatta of Newberry, Ryan (Michelle) Converse of Ishpeming, Jordan Converse of Marquette, Dylan Converse of Marquette, Bailey McLaughlin of Marquette, and Kiara McLaughlin of Marquette; eight great-grandchildren; significant other, Dick Crawford of Marquette; her brother, Wayne (Mary) Gonder of Highland Park.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Norvin; her son, Paul; a granddaughter, Carrie; son-in-law, Danny; step-daughter, Lynn; two sisters and a brother.

The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Louis the King Catholic Church, Harvey, on Saturday, October 19, beginning at 10:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Saturday morning with Rev. Glenn Theoret, pastor, as celebrant.

A reception will follow in Fr. Gauthier Hall.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com