Post Messenger Recorder -

On March 15, 2016, there was a clap of thunder and the gates of heaven opened to receive Shirley Anderson into her eternal home. She was born on September 17, 1928, in Monroe, WI, to her parents, William and Lena (Thoman) Bidlingmaier.

Shirley attended the Buckskin Hollow School and graduated from Monticello High School. On September 12, 1948, she was united in marriage to Gene Anderson. Shirley worked at Advance Transformer in Monroe for many years. She was a faithful lifetime member of the Washington Reformation United Church of Christ. Shirley enjoyed polka music and dancing, but most of all she loved to spend time with her family.

Shirley is survived by her five children, Gary (Karen) Anderson of Monroe, WI, Laura Anderson of Harmony Grove, WI, Lonna Arn of Monticello, WI, Chris (Keith) Jelle of Belleville, WI, and Bill (Connie) Anderson of Monticello, WI; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. She is further survived by her sisters, Dorothy (Dallas) Wild of Monroe, WI, and Jean (Daryl) Kleckner of Monona, WI; and a brother-in-law, Herb Baumgartner of Monroe, WI.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Sylvan, Nathan and Merlyn (in infancy) Bidlingmaier; and sisters, Lorene Durtschi, Evelyn Moritz and Marian Baumgartner.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the Washington Reformation United Church of Christ, N6026 Church Rd, Monticello, WI, with Pastor Mary Gafner officiating with burial in the Washington Reformation Cemetery.

A visitation preceded the funeral service from 9:00 a.m. until time of services on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the Washington Reformation United Church of Christ.

A memorial fund has been established.

The Zentner-Beal Funeral Home of New Glarus is assisting the family.

An online memorial with guestbook is available at http://www.bealfuneralhomes.com.