The Lord called Shirley Louise (Hallen) Dirksen home on September 19, 2016. Shirley was born September 16, 1923 in Rockford, IL to parents Herman and Hilder (Nelson) Hallen. She was very proud to let everyone know she was 100% Swedish. In June, 1952 she married John Dirksen in Oregon, IL and they resided on and operated the River Road farm in Oregon, IL until John's passing in July, 2006. Shirley then moved to Wisconsin to live with her daughter.

Shirley graduated from Rockford East High School and then attended Swedish American School of Nursing and became a registered nurse. Prior to moving to Oregon she worked as a private duty nurse. She worked for Northern Illinois University Lorado Taft Field Campus, in Oregon IL, as campus nurse for 24 years.

Shirley had two children, James Dirksen of Oregon and Judith Knilans of Suamico, WI. She had two grandchildren, Jay Welty (Kathy) DePere, WI and Joy (Welty) Kruse, (Bill) of Casco, WI. She had four great grandchildren: Jacob Welty, Jenna Welty, Wyatt Kruse and Savannah Kruse. She was preceded in death by her husband John Dirksen, and two sisters Alta Tallent and Helen Magnuson.

Shirley and John attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Oregon since 1952 where Shirley helped sew quilts and helped in kitchen for funerals with the Women's Circle. She loved her pets and gardening. She was a caregiver to people and animals most of her life.

Immediate family members will celebrate her life with a private memorial at their Suamico, WI home on Sunday, September 25, 2016.