Shirley J. Peck, 87

Shirley Jean Peck, 87, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Shirley was born on December 24, 1936 in Austin, Minnesota, the only child of Myron and Florence (Carle) Aultfather. She attended school in Austin through the 10th grade and then transferred to Maplewood Academy in Hutchinson, Minnesota where she graduated in 1955 as Valedictorian. She went on to major in English at Union College (now Union Adventist University) graduating in 1959. Shirley was united in marriage to Harlen Peck on June 30, 1957 at the First Congregational Church in Austin.

In 1960, Shirley and Harlen moved to Harvey, North Dakota where she taught Home-Ec at Sheyenne River Academy. Two years later, they moved to Scottsdale, Arizona where she continued to teach Home-Ec at Thunderbird Academy. In 1966, they moved to Campbell, California. She taught English at Mountain View Union Academy in Mountain View, California. They made their last move in 1976 to Shirley’s family farm in rural Austin. She attended the Nursing program at Riverland Community College. Shirley began teaching at Riverland in 1979 and retired in 1998. She touched numerous lives throughout her years of teaching. She was a much loved and appreciated educator.

Family was Shirley’s main focus throughout her whole life. She enjoyed spending time together on vacations, during holidays, celebrating birthdays and having barbecues together. She loved animals, especially dogs and cats, and she enjoyed boating, gardening, and baking and cooking for her family. Her faith was important to her and her belief in Jesus played a significant role in her life. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her father and mother in-law, and many beloved pets.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 67 years, Harlen Peck, Austin, MN; son, Ruston (Janiece) Peck, Wendell, MN; daughter, Rondell (Paul) Peck-Eilertson, Bricelyn, MN; grandchildren, Jessica (Michael) Lentz, Jason (Kristin) Peck, Ryan (Hanna) Eilertson, Eryn (Taylor) Henningsgard, Ethan Eilertson, Scott Walker (Mariah Tvrdik) and Tanner (Abby) Walker; 11 great grandchildren (with another on the way).

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 15th from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary. There will be a private interment service for family at the Rose Creek Enterprise Cemetery.