Shirley M. Leth

MANTORVILLE -Shirley Mae (Maxson) Leth, 86, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2013 at Cottagewood Senior Communities (formerly Sunrise Cottages) in Rochester with her loving family by her side. Shirley was born on May 1, 1927 to Peters and Edna (Berg) Maxson in Mantorville.She attended Mantorville area schools and married Darrel Doc Leth on April 1, 1944 in Mantorville.They farmed in Milton township rural Mantorville where they raised their family.Shirley was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School and especially enjoyed being a member of Bethel Circle. Shirley was an avid bowler and served as the League Secretary and Association Secretary for the Rochester Women's Bowling Association and was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service in 2005.She loved spending time with her family and attending their activities.Her other interests include knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, sewing, gardening, and attending Birthday Club and Homemakers. Shirley is survived by her children, Jean Burke, of Austin, MN, Dale (Linda) Leth, of Mantorville, Dave (Rhonda) Leth, of Mantorville, Janice (John) Patterson, of Kasson, Dan (Jody) Leth, of Marietta, GA, Jane Fjerstad, of Kasson, JoEllen (Randy Schwake) Smith, of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Jill (Al) Horstmann, of Rochester; 41grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren; two brothers, Jim (Colleen) Maxson, of Mantorville and Richard (Corrine) Maxson, of Omaha, NE; a brother-in-law, Don Lohrbach, of Mantorville; a sister-in-law, Leona Blatti, of Kasson; and many nieces and nephews. Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Darrel; a daughter, Jacqueline; her parents; a sister, RoseMarie Lohrbach; and two son-in-laws, Anthony Burke and Joseph Smith. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 301 8th Ave. NW in Kasson with Rev. Randy Fett officiating.Visitation will be from 5-8 P.M. on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at St. John's Lutheran Church and also an hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.Interment will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery in Kasson. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to the family for distribution to Season's Hospice, the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer's Foundation or donor's choice.The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the care and compassion shown to their mother by the entire staff at Season's Hospice and Cottagewood Senior Community.