Shirley Mae Banetzke, age 85, was called home by her Savior on Thursday December 26, 2024, at The Larson House in Columbus. Welcoming her home was her husband DeWayne.

Shirley was born July 27, 1939 to Wilbert and Edna (Kurth) Lange, on her parents' home farm in Reeseville, Wisconsin. Shirley attended Englewood country school for several years, in the Township of Fountain Prairie and later Zion Lutheran Grade School in Columbus. She was confirmed on April 3, 1955 at Zion Lutheran Church in Columbus. Graduating from Columbus High School Class of 1959. After graduation she attended Cosmetology College, received her license and for the next 27 years. She worked in Fall River and Beaver Dam area as a Cosmetologist, making many lifelong friends during this time.

Shirley was married to DeWayne Banetzke on April 27, 1963, at Zion Lutheran Church, Columbus. They were blessed with three children. Shirley took time off from Cosmetology work to raise the children until they began grade school. Returning to work in the beauty shop a career she truly enjoyed. After a couple years, Shirley changed careers, working for Zion Lutheran Church for 20 years, her 'best job ever', before retirement.

Shirley had a talent for decorating for all holiday seasons, with Christmas being her favorite. She looked forward to trips to Branson, MO, with family. Shirley was a UW Badger football season ticket holder for 20 years attending games with her husband. Be it known her husband was a bigger fan, but the after-game dinners were special to Shirley. Traveling to Memphis, TN with her sister and husband for Elvis Week numerous times over the years. However, her heart and DeWayne's' were their trips to Branson, MO. She enjoyed other trips to Yellowstone, Colorado and Myrtle Beach. Shirley was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she loved hearing God's word. She was a member of the Ladies Aid Society, where she worked many funeral luncheons. She served on the Columbus Hillside Cemetery Board and the advisory board of the Columbus Community Center.

Survivors include her son Randy of Fall River; daughters Laurie (James) Niehoff and Michele (Steven) Steiner both of Fall River, WI; granddaughter Tiffany Niehoff; grandson's Brandon (Amy) Niehoff, Mitchel Steiner, Skyler Steiner and Zachary Steiner: great- granddaughters Noelle Niehoff and Adeline Steiner; great-grandsons Milo and Percy Niehoff; brother Donald Lange of Steamboat Springs, CO; nephews Todd (Caroline) Dykstra and Chad (Colleen) Dykstra; cousins other relatives, many wonderful friends, and The Apple Tree group.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband DeWayne in 2002, father-in-law and mother-in-law Leonard and Anna Banetzke; sister and brother-in-law Helen and Howard Petrich; sister Nancy Lange; sister-in-law Mary Ann Banetzke; special nephew Scott Dykstra.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., with visitation beginning at 9:00 A.M., on Saturday January 4, 2025, at Jensen Funeral & Cremation, Columbus. Rev. Tim Schwartz will officiate. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery Columbus. Memorials may be directed to Zion Ladies Aid Society.

Please share your online condolences with Shirley's family at jensenfuneralandcremation.com