Shirley Marie Stresman

Shirley Marie Stresman of Saginaw, formerly of Monroe, Michigan

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Symphony Tri-Cities in Bay City. Age 89 years. Shirley Marie Koeppen was born on July 11, 1935, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late William C. and Emilie E. (Heinrich) Koeppen. She was a proud 1953 graduate of Michigan Lutheran Seminary. Following graduation, Shirley attended Concordia College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After studying for two years, she began teaching. She later attended and graduated from Eastern Michigan University, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. While studying in Fort Wayne, she serendipitously met the love of her life, Kenneth Charles Stresman.They dated, fell in love, and were united in marriage on August 11, 1957, celebrating 67 years together. Kenneth survives her. Shirley was a passionate and devoted educator teaching at Calvary Lutheran School in St. Louis, Missouri, St. Mark Lutheran School in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, and the remainder of her career at Holy Ghost Lutheran School in Monroe, Michigan, where she used her time and talents to serve the church as the staff organist, music and handbell director. The role of her lifetime, one she treasured and cherished above all others, was to be a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Following retirement in 1997 and to be closer to family, Shirley and Ken moved back to Saginaw. She was a longtime, faithful member of St. Peter Lutheran Church. Music spoke to her soul, making her heart feel full anytime she could sing or play piano, organ, and handbells. She also enjoyed knitting, designing and creating her own greeting cards, and golfing. Though she could be stubborn, Shirley will forever be remembered for the incredible strength she had for those she loved, for always remaining the salt of the Earth regardless of any obstacles, for her love of teaching and music, and for truly living an amazing life, filled with many beautiful memories and stories.

Surviving are her husband, Kenneth Stresman of Bay City; three children: Shelly (Randy) Worden of Sacramento, CA; Kevin (Dianne) Stresman of Vassar; Lori (Gary) Farnum of Bothell, WA; five grandchildren: Kailee (John) Leverso; Kent Farnum; Marissa Worden; Kate (DJ) Peters; Kassie (Sean) O’Brien; six great-grandchildren: Sophie and Axel Peters; Lorrayne and Henry Leverso; Joelle and Leah O’Brien. Also surviving are countless nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and dear friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, William and Emilie Koeppen; a sister, Jane (Alvin) Wardin; a nephew, James Wardin.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Wellspring Lutheran Services for all the love and care they provided to Shirley as well as the entire family.

A funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 25, 2024, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 2461 N. Raucholz Rd, Hemlock, MI 48626. Rev. Richard E. Mundt and Mark Auernhammer will officiate with burial to follow at Richland Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may visit the family at the church on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Peter Lutheran Church, Holy Ghost Lutheran Church and School, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The funeral service will be livestreamed at St. Peter Lutheran Church’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@stpeterhemlock/streams. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the church or through www.casefuneralhome.com.