Shirley Ann Shoup was born on May 16, 1936, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, to the late Fred and Irene (Wiesenthal) Troeger. She was baptized into Christ on September 27, 1936, and confirmed her faith April 2, 1950, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in East Troy, Wisconsin.

Shirley grew up on a small dairy farm and expressed fond memories of simpler times including hard work, a woodstove in the kitchen and a coal-fired furnace in the basement, two freezers full of their fresh garden produce and farm-raised chicken, pork, and beef. Her favorite treat was her mother's homemade biscuits with fresh strawberries and fresh whipped cream.

After graduating from East Troy High School, Shirley studied elementary education at Whitewater State University. On December 15, 1956, she was united in marriage to Wayne Andrews Shoup at St. Paul Lutheran Church in East Troy. She taught Kindergarten for a year before she and Wayne settled in Harvard, Illinois, where Shirley's love and personality flourished as a wife, mom, and friend to many. She took pride in her family and enjoyed giving love to her husband and their boys, Jeff and Tim, by making the house a home with seasonal decorations, delicious meals, and bedtime prayers. She was home for the boys after school, allowed them time for play, had them get on their homework, practiced memory work with them, and supported them in musical and athletic activities throughout their childhood years. She would also encourage and correct them as needed, while passing on to them her unyielding trust in the Lord's grace and power over everything, even death. She cherished Sunday worship, hymns, and receiving the Lord's Supper. Having the family sit together for supper, and planning for holiday get-togethers with relatives were high priorities. She was efficient with office work, and thrived as office manager for an internist. She always enjoyed conversing with Wayne, was proud of his work, and they were blessed to take multiple overseas trips. They enjoyed watching and playing golf together, and joining with other couples on Friday evenings to play Bridge. Shirley also loved ice cream, chocolate, rooting for the Packers, and throughout her retirement years, she loved going for walks especially along the ocean beach of Gulf Shores. Some years ago, Shirley discovered another outlet for her creativity. She became an accomplished artist, and her oil and watercolor paintings and needle point renderings will be cherished. When grandkids came along, the love and joy expanded. Hardly a phone call would go by without her asking about each grandchild and their spouses by name, and likewise the great-grandchildren. She was very proud of them, and had extra room in her heart for grandson Jonathan.

Shirley's life was drastically changed four years ago by illness, severely limiting her mobility, but not quieting the love in her heart.

Shirley is survived by Wayne, her loving husband of nearly 67 years, their son Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Judy Shoup, grandson David (Andrea) Shoup and their children: Matthew, Lucas, Cameron, and Maya, and grandson Jonathan, son Rev. Timothy and daughter-in-law Nancy Shoup, granddaughter Hannah (Jonathan) Berkesch and their children: Timothy, Peter, Philip, Theo, and Thomas, and grandsons: Caleb (Allie) Shoup and their child to be born in January,  Abel (Chloe) Shoup, and Benjamin (Stéphanie) Shoup.  Shirley is further survived by her nephew Mark Recknagel, her niece Laurie (Jerry) Johnson, her brother-in-law Gordan (Rita) Shoup and their children: Diana, Lynette, and Cary and their spouses. Several great-nieces and great-nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Dorothy (Ernie) Recknagel and her brother Porter Troeger.

The Lord, by His grace, took Shirley to her eternal rest after emergency surgery on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at the age of 87 years, 4 months, and 4 days.

The funeral service is at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church Lemont, Illinois 11:00am Thursday September 28, 2023, with visitation from 9:30am-11:00am., and interment is at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Bonduel, Wisconsin, September 30, 2023.

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