Shirley Dorothy Spychalla went to be with her Savior on March 3,2023 at age 90.  Shirley was born on March 27, 1932, to Betty Eulalia Holmberg Hopkins and Fayette Mortimer Hopkins in Antigo, Wisconsin  and was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Antigo. Shirley was predeceased by her parents as well as her siblings: Merilean (James) Young, Phyllis (Dale) Young, Faye (Paul) Wolf, Betty (Richard) Krohn, Patrick Hopkins, Lee Hopkins, Gary (Barbara) Hopkins and Allen (Rose) Hopkins.

Shirley was the lively, feisty, last surviving sibling of a family of 9 children.  She and her brothers and sisters helped her mother run a dairy farm and raise potatoes in rural Antigo while her father was gone to work on the Chicago and North Western Railroad. Though Shirley helped on the farm and with her younger brothers, her passion was music and performing. She always loved to sing and often performed for church events and with a group that performed big band music while at Antigo High School where she graduated in 1950. Shirley competed as a finalist in the Mrs. Wisconsin pageant. Later, she was highly involved in the performance activities of her children.

She was swept off her feet by Leonard James Spychalla of Antigo at the age of 18. He landed his plane in the field adjacent to the Hopkins farm and took Shirley flying when they dated. They married on October 28, 1950, at Peace Lutheran Church in Antigo.  Leonard's work as a pilot took the family to various locations around the state and country. They had four children, Dean Spychalla (Sherell), Terri Westby (Alan), Jeanne Lietzan (Ernie), and Dana O'Hara Cowdrey (Michael). As their grown children moved around the country, they had opportunities to frequently visit the Bahamas, Florida, Michigan, and California.

Shirley was a role model for caring for family at every stage. In addition to being a wonderful mother she cared for her elderly mother-in-law in their home and later also cared for Shirley's older sister Phyllis.   Both Shirley and Leonard spent countless hours nurturing and caring for their many grandchildren, even while Shirley worked as an administrative assistant for various employers. Despite all her responsibilities, Shirley was an optimist and a glass half full personality. She charmed family and friends alike with her humor, easy laughter, and welcoming disposition, especially if there was coffee.

Shirley was the proud grandmother of 16 grandchildren:  Ilianna Spychalla, Alexa Spychalla, Sophia Spychalla; Ryan Harrison, Teresa Westby Breitrick, Russell Westby; Ernie Lietzan, Jessica Lietzan, Alex Lietzan, Paul Lietzan, Matthew Lietzan, Anna Lietzan Schroeder; Tommy Sellman, Jenna Sellman Wischhover, Spencer O'Hara, Lance O'Hara, as well as one deceased grandchild, Elizabeth Westby.

She joyfully welcomed each of her 31 great grandchildren:  Sofia, Alexia, Nicholas, Reagan, Sophie, James, Elisabeth, Friedrick, Caroline, Caleb, Max, Rosemary, Eloise, James, Paige, Luke, Paul, Jack, June, Henry, Heidi, Frederick, Beau, Blake, Savannah, Aksel, Elle, Easton, Calvin, Austin, and Eli.

A service will be held at 11 am on Monday March 13,2023 at Faith Lutheran Church, 601 E. Glendale Ave, Appleton WI.  Visitation will be held Monday from 10AM until 10:45 am.  Lunch will follow in the church fellowship hall. Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Appleton.  We welcome you to wear bright colors to honor Shirley's joyful life. Anyone who desires to leave a memorial may write it to either Celebration Lutheran Preschool or Faith Lutheran Music Ministry.

A heartfelt thank you to the staff of Heartwood Homes and Compassus Hospice who provided such capable and loving care in Shirley's last months.