Shirley Ann Minchk

MONONA- Shirley Ann (Johnson) Minchk, age 62, of Monona, passed away peacefully at her home with her husband on Friday, April 25, 2008, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Shirley was born in Prairie du Chien, to Kilbourne (KC) and Dorothy (Liz) Johnson in 1945, and was a graduate of Prairie du Chien High School in 1963. Shirley worked at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison for 15 years and became known as "Switchboard Shirley" to her many friends and staff. In 2003 she went to work for Dean Healthcare until her declining health forced her to retire in early 2008. Shirley was an avid collector of nostalgia and loved reading a good book and watching a good movie. Shirley was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Johnson, who died April 8, 1999. She is survived by her husband, Thomas, of 43 years; sons, Mark (Jacqui) Minchk of DeForest, Scott Minchk of Austin, Texas, and Chris (Erin) Minchk of Muskego; grandchildren, Simon, Leah and Addison Minchk; sisters, Lynda (Mike) Schwanz of Verona, and Jacqueline (Rick) Dean of Equality, Ala.; brothers, Terry (Chien) Johnson of California City, Calif., and John Johnson of Madison; and special friends, Anne Knopp of Sun Prairie, and Lynn Johnson of Madison. Shirley was the organizer of many family gatherings and her absence as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend will be dearly missed. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at St. Mary's Hospital, Dean Healthcare and HospiceCare Inc. of Fitchburg. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family wishes to collect a memorial in honor of Shirley for HospiceCare Inc. of Fitchburg. A memorial service will be held at the MIDVALE BAPTIST CHURCH located at 821 S. Midvale Blvd., Saturday, May 17, 2008, at 11 a.m. with a lunch for guests to follow.