Shirley Ann Seidel Wright was born August 24, 1936, in Rock Falls, Illinois to Harry Sr. and Mabel Moede Seidel.
Shirley attended school in the Sterling-Rock Falls area and graduated from Sterling High School in 1954. She began her career as a waitress at Bevalaqua’s in Sterling. In 1970, Shirley went to work for Sterling Steel Ball and held that position until her retirement in 1999.
Shirley was a tremendous cook who shared her talents at the Knights of Columbus fish fry and many other events over the years. She often brought “goodies” to work, much to the delight of her co-workers.
Many evenings you could find Shirley contributing to various Bingo programs in the area. You could always hear her when she yelled “Bingo!” She also enjoyed playing cards, especially Bohemian Rummy, with friends and family. It was not widely known but Shirley was talented artistically and enjoyed coloring with crayons. She enjoyed these hobbies until her passing.
She is preceded in death by her parents; a brother Harry “Popeye” Seidel, Jr.; and two sisters and their husbands, Doris and Robert Quilhott, and Alice (Rosie) and Lloyd Keime.
She is survived by her three children, son Ken Seidel and special friend Jeannie Hunwardsen of Orange City, IA, daughter Vickie (Dale) Wilson of Correctionville, IA, and daughter Lorie Wright, also of Correctionville, IA; seven grandchildren, Vanessa (Darren) Davies of London, England, Jennifer (Jeremiah) Ploen of Correctionville, Tony Saxen of Moville, Buddy Wilson and fiancé Megan Reidel of West Des Moines, Cassie (Travis) Rupp of Cherokee, Sami Saxen and friend Matt Frye of Cushing, and Shane Saxen of Correctionville; six great-grandchildren and one additional expected in October. Shirley is also survived by five brothers in the Sterling – Rock Falls, Illinois area: Charles (Chuck) and wife Eleanor Seidel, Paul (Fritz) and wife Carol Seidel, David and wife Jan Seidel, James Seidel, and Larry (Sandy) Seidel; a sister-in-law Erma; and numerous nieces and nephews.