Born during a blizzard, at her parents’ home on December 30, 1927, Shirley Irene Anderson Knutson departed this life on October 21, 2025, at the age of 97.
Shirley blended the ruggedness of a rural upbringing outside of Staples, Minnesota, with a love of music and literature to become a person who, one moment, would be wrestling to unload an unwieldy wagon of corn, and the next singing a selection from Handel’s Messiah—a union of strength and grace that was a hallmark of her life.
Shirley graduated from Staples High School and then Macalester College in 1949 with a degree in music. Displaying her lifelong love of mission work, she spent her first year after graduation teaching migrant farmworker children in North Dakota English and music, framed around the teachings of Jesus. In the last years of her life, she renewed that love with new purpose, helping establish a Rural Ministry program serving her longtime parish, Lost Island Lutheran Church.
Shirley moved to Lakota, Iowa, for her first teaching job, where she was introduced to Wayne Knutson, a recent graduate of St. Olaf College who had returned to Iowa to begin farming. Sparks flew, and Shirley and Wayne were united in marriage on July 2, 1950. Together, they built a life on their farm outside Graettinger, Iowa.
Shirley is survived by her children Wayne (Molly), Roger (Janice), Carole (John), and Mark (Elan); her ten grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and her loving brother, Marcus (Barb). She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Esther Anderson; her husband, Wayne; and her brother, Wallace.
Shirley is remembered for her unwavering devotion to God and family, her courage in the face of life’s challenges, and her abiding love of friendship and community. She lived fully, loved generously, and sang faithfully. Hers is a voice that is deeply missed.
A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held on May 9, 2026, at Lost Island Lutheran Church.
