Shirley Fleming

Shirley J. Fleming, 85, of Hortonville, WI, passed peacefully away Monday, July 17, 2017, in her home.  Born October 30, 1931, in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Charles Leonard and Fern Lillian (Smith) Holder.  Shirley spoke lovingly of her mother and her sweet-natured father.  She was so proud of her younger sister, Barb.  They were friends and confidants and spent many hours on the phone in their later years.  Rockford area resident for 59 years and proudly attended Harlem High School.  Married her high school sweetheart, Fred Charles Fleming on June 21, 1951, in Rockford, IL.  They celebrated 61 years of a wonderful life together filled with family and friends.  (Who can forget “hamburger night”?).  Shirley and Fred moved to Hortonville, WI, in 1990.  She was briefly employed as an interior decorator by House of Lindberg Furniture and was a lifetime homemaker, which was her passion.  Shirley enjoyed reading, writing, sharing decorative ideas, antique collecting and going to garage sales with Barb and her lifelong friend, Dianne Sherman.  They truly shared a special friendship.  Most of all, Shirley loved her family!  She made her house a home surrounded with warmth.  She was a great storyteller of the memories of her life.  Her grandchildren have spent many hours sitting on her bed as stories were told; and the hours that she listened to them will never be forgotten.  Shirley was spiritual and knew that she would be reunited with those she loved.  She will be missed by all.  Survivors include her son, Steven (Chris) Fleming; daughter, Kathy (Dan) Hallstrom; grandchildren, Jaime (Josh) Bohrtz, Natalie (Ryan) Nickolas, Nathan Fleming and Nolan Fleming; great-grandchildren, Colten, Clara and Addie Bohrtz and Zander Nickolas; sister, Barb (Gary) Keister; cousin, Don Malott; and several nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by parents; husband, Fred on December 23, 2012; and son, Michael Fleming.

Graveside service at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, in Willwood Burial Park, 7000 West State Street, Rockford, IL. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.  Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., Loves Park, IL.