Shirley Mae (Wegner) Nitschke, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2023 in Fargo, North Dakota, at Eventide Care Center.

Born on June 29^th, 1936 to Ted and Martha (Elhard) Wegner of Alfred, North Dakota, Shirley attended a farm school for one year and then completed her elementary years at the Alfred School. Shirley attended Gackle High School for two years and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1954.

Shirley married Larry Nitschke on June 12^th, 1955, at the Congregational Church in Alfred. Shirley and Larry moved to Washington State for a few months before returning to North Dakota and settling in Jamestown to raise their family. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage until his passing in 2011.

Shirley taught at a country school north of Alfred. She also was employed in Jamestown with Moline Café, North Central Consultants, Architects and Engineers, and Merrick and Schaar Law Firm.

Shirley was a member of First Baptist Church, Jamestown, and a member of the Alfred American Legion Auxiliary, Leno-Schlenker Post #295.

Shirley was the published author of two books, Heimat and Heimat II. She loved to play the piano, sing and read, but above all, she loved to spend time with her family, especially at their second home in Alfred, North Dakota. Shirley was a fantastic baker and cook of German Russian cuisine. She enjoyed traveling with Larry across the United States and Europe.

Shirley is survived by her three children, Lynne (Brad) Newark, Crete, Greece; Lance (Shiela) Nitschke, West Fargo, North Dakota; Landon (Staci) Nitschke, Lucas, Texas; foster son, Lee (Rhonda) Dahl, Fargo, North Dakota; grandchildren, Luke, Lee, Logan, Lawson; sisters, Carolann (John) Carroll, Fargo, North Dakota; Madelyn Williams, Jamestown, North Dakota; and sisters-in-law, Janell Wegner, DeVaris Wegner, Darlene Wegner.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Larry; daughter, Janie; brothers, Roger, Roland, and Gordon; sister, Judy.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Hospice Red River Valley

Shirley Nitschke

June 29, 1936 - March 15, 2023

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