Shirley I. Wanous, 98, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, at the Heather Haus in Blooming Prairie.

Shirley Ida Eaker was born Dec. 22, 1918, in the Bixby, Minnesota, area to John W. and Rachel (Kruckeberg) Eaker. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. John’s Evangelical Church in Havana Township, and attended District No. 27 School in Bixby before graduating from Owatonna (Minnesota) High School in 1936. Immediately following graduation, Shirley went to work for M. Nelson and Company. On Oct. 21, 1938, Shirley was united in marriage to Raymond J. Wanous at the Lutheran church in Northwood, Iowa. The couple made their home in Blooming Prairie. Shirley then went to work for Betlach Food Company until she and Ray purchased the Wagner Shoe Store in 1957, which she operated until Ray’s health began to fail. They sold the store so Shirley and Ray could spend more time together. The store spent 44 years on Main Street in Blooming Prairie. Ray passed away in 1982. Shirley served her church on the Ladies Aid Board, the Altar Committee, and was chair of the Quilting Committee. She also helped prepare and serve many lutefisk dinners and was a social member of the Blooming Prairie Country Club. She enjoyed her card clubs and truly loved her family and many, many friends.  She will be dearly missed.

Shirley is survived by 11 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ray; sister, Irene (Howard) Hanson; brother Herman (Esther) Eaker; and three nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with the Rev. Chris Miller officiating. Interment will follow in the Blooming Prairie City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday immediately preceding the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Shirley’s memory may be directed to First Lutheran Church of Blooming Prairie. Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.