Pamela Jean Shirk, 61, of Rochester, Minn., passed away peacefully at home Saturday April 19, 2014, following a long courageous battle with kidney cancer. Pam was born June 14, 1952, in Austin, Minn., to Richard and Carol Brekke. Pamela graduated from Austin High School in 1969, and after graduation she moved to Rochester, where she lived the remainder of her life. In October of 2006, she married the love of her life, Glen Shirk. Pam has worked at Weber and Judd, St. Mary’s, Shakey’s Pizza, and finally at Schmidt Goodman Office Products for the past 11 years. Pam was always known as a hard worker and in her later years she also helped her husband Glen run “Glen’s Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe Total Catering.”

If Pam wasn’t working, you would find her down near Caledonia at the cabin with Glen enjoying the peaceful outdoors. She spent time every summer vacationing Up North with her family enjoying the beach and the lake. She loved watching football and spent countless hours cheering for her son Chris on the sidelines. Pam had a love for New York City and was able to make two trips over the past few years with friends and her girls. Her grandchildren all had a special bond with their “Grandma Pam” and she spoiled them every chance she got. Pam was loved by everyone and was always out to help others before herself.

A memorial service will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church – in Rochester, with Pastor Norman Wahl, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 23. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Bethel Lutheran Church 810 3rd Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904

Pam is preceded in death by her sister Karrie Lynn, and stepson Matthew Shirk.

Pam is survived by husband Glen Shirk, daughter Karrie (Chris) Fursa, son Chris (Tracey) Fogarty, daughter Mandy (Adam) Mergen and stepson Ryan (Annette) Shirk. Pam is survived by eight grandchildren Zygmund and Walker Fursa, Ayva and Maya Fogarty, Charlie and Lilly Mergen and Tommy and Joey Shirk. Pam is also survived by her parents Richard and Carol Brekke, sister Jennifer Brekke, brother Richard (Connie) Brekke Jr. Pam is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as her aunt and Godmother Marlys Trimble.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, and online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com