Shirley Jean Krider

Shirley Jean (Gravelle, Olson) Krider

Early on April 29, 2024, Shirley left this earth after 99 years and 28 days. She lived out her days at Ecumen Sand Prairie in St. Peter, Minnesota where she was well cared for by staff and family. A private family burial will be held at a future date to be determined.

She was born on March 31, 1925, the oldest child for Isadore 'Izzy' and Bernetha 'Bea' (Leverson) Gravelle. She grew up in St Peter, Minnesota attending Washington Elementary School. The family moved to Montgomery, Minnesota and then to Kasota. Shirley attended Kasota High School.

She was the mother of two daughters, Pat and Donna and a bonus daughter, Barbara. She was a charter member of the Kasota Legion Woman's Auxiliary, a Kasota Fire Lady and an active member of the Kasota Presbyterian Church. She had many different jobs over her lifetime but the ones she was most proud of were, a welder of bridge components during WWII. She was quick to tell listeners that she worked 11½ hours a night for $0.95 an hour. She worked as a waitress at the Nicollet Hotel at a time when that was a white linen tablecloth type of dining. It was there she learned to appreciate the joy of setting a pretty table. She carried that with her the rest of her life. She worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Richard Larson for many years. And, she worked at Hiniker Cab Company as a shipping clerk until her retirement in 1990. She credits her long life as proof that hard work won't kill you.

The loved ones that preceded her in death were her parents Bea and Izzy, her only sibling Elaine and her husband Rodney Dickmeyer and their son-in-law Dr Alan Magnuson, sons-in-law Clem Fischer, Ken Rydeen, Oliver Winkleman, Thomas Richardson, and two ex-husbands Julean Olson and George Krider.

She was the oldest surviving grandchild of Helmer and Myrtle Leverson and DeMoss and Mary Gravelle.

The large blended family she leaves behind include her daughters, Pat and Royce Kilmer, Donna and Robert Peterson, Barbara (Krider) Richardson, a niece Sandy Magnuson, 10 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 22 great-great-grandchildren.

She never met a dog or cat she didn't like and she loved to watch birds. In her prime, she was an avid fisherman and enjoyed traveling with her sister and brother-in-law in their motorhome. She valued her independence and found great joy in her friends.

Shirley was well known in her circle of family and friends for her cliques. "The Golden Years!" which she wanted everyone to know weren't really that 'Golden'. "Busier than a cranberry merchant.", and when she was really sick, "One foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel." She also loved to bake banana bread and share with people she cared about.

Any memorials will be sent to the shelter in northern Minnesota that just rescued 120 cats from a hoarding situation. She would want to make life better for a cat in need.