Shirley Joan Aakre

Shirley Joan Aakre died peacefully December 8, 2015 at Samaritan Bethany Care Center where she has resided for the past fourteen months.Her devoted husband of 57 years, Davis Aakre, was at her side. Shirley was born November 15, 1935 in Albia, Iowa to Orpha and Doyle Byers.She graduated from Austin High School, and worked at Hormel after graduation, where she met Davis V. Aakre.They were married July 16, 1958 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.They made their home and raised their five children in Rochester, Minnesota. Shirley was a homemaker until her five children were in school, and then went to work for the Rochester School District as a teachers aide. Shirley loved to bake, go camping, take care of her family, read, and do numerous crafts especially sewing, crocheting, and hardanger. Shirley was preceded in death by her mother and father.Survivors include her loving husband Davis Aakre; two daughters Kimberly Aakre (Andrew Kelley) of Hartland, Vermont and Mona Aakre (Rob Vian) of Rochester; three sons Thor Aakre (Sheri) of Tiverton Rhode Island, Nathan Aakre (Tracey) of Hastings Minnesota, and Garth Aakre (Tammie) of Brooklyn Park Minnesota; and six grandchildren Alex Kelley, Kira Kelley, Quinton Aakre, Raven Aakre, Gavin Aakre, and Olivia Aakre. Funeral services will be on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 2:00 p.m at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 11, 2015 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and 30 minutes prior to the service at the church on Saturday.Burial will take place at Grandview Memorial Gardens. Please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com to share a special memory. Family prefers memorials to Channel One Food Bank, Samaritan Bethany Foundation or Seasons Hospice.