Shirley Mae (Schmidt) Carley

Shirley M. Carley, age 91, passed away of natural causes on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Emerald Bay Retirement Community in the Township of Hobart, Brown County, WI.

Shirley Mae Schmidt was born December 12, 1931 in Aniwa, WI, daughter of the late Albert and Esther (James) Schmidt. She graduated from Birnamwood High School in 1949. Shirley met the love of her life and was united in marriage to Edwin G. Carley on September 23, 1950 at the Methodist Church in Aniwa, WI. After having 4 children, the family relocated to Marion WI in 1959, where Shirley and Edwin had 2 more sons. A busy home on a hobby farm on the outskirts of town was ideal for raising their children. She was a devoted homemaker and was admired as an excellent cook. She prepared several family favorites; Roast, Dumplings and Gravy, Goulash, Tuna Macaroni Salad and Ground Bologna Sandwiches. At the farm in Marion, the kids had several acres to roam outside. When Mom wanted the kids to return to the house, her routine was to ring the dinner bell. She cherished family holiday gatherings making them special and memorable.
Shirley was a hard worker, taking on many critical roles to support the family business, Carley Auction Service. Advertising, Auction Bills, Clerking and Bookkeeping were a few of those tasks. After the kids were older, she clerked at Midwest Livestock Producers for several years.
Shirley and Edwin were members of the Methodist Church in Marion, and later attended Grace Family Church, also in Marion. Shirley was an active member of TOPS club in Clintonville, where she made many friends.
Shirley enjoyed traveling with or to visit her family which took her to numerous places such as Canada, California, Nebraska, New York, South Dakota, Florida and Hawaii.
She enjoyed fishing & camping with her family. She also loved to spend time at their place up north in Alvin, WI. She followed the Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, held season tickets for the Green Bay Packers and cheered them on to win in person at the Ice Bowl on December 31, 1967.
She was a kind, loving and gentle soul who was loved by many and will be fondly remembered as a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

She is survived by:
Daughter: Jane (Gene) Bossell
Sons: Randy (Roxy) Carley
Ron (Barb) Carley
Ross Carley
Brad (Cynde) Carley

Grandchildren: Justin Bossell, Megan Carley, Jami (Josh) Crabb, Amy Carley(friend Sam), Ricci (Chad) Van Handel, Tyler Carley(friend Samantha), Ry (Carolyn) Carley, Cassie (Nate) Hoover, Derek Carley, & Dylan Carley

Great-grandchildren: Gavyn, Tatum, Brantley, Bryce, Nora, Ellie, Lauren, Aubrey, Andric, Aliyah, Isaac, Edwin and Henry.

Special Nieces and Nephews: Linda, Trudy, Ray, Sherry, John, Jim and Bob.

Shirley was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Edwin G. Carley, her parents, sister Carol Sudar, and son Rick E. Carley.

A private family gathering and interment will be held at the Greenleaf Cemetery, Marion. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 1 -3 PM at The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Marion.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Sydnee from Moments Hospice, Angela from Right at Home and the staff at Emerald Bay Retirement Community for the care and support they provided for Shirley.

An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.