Shirley Ann Sitts

Shirley Ann (Carlson) Sitts passed away on February 28, 2023, at Azura Memory Care in Stoughton, Wis. Shirley was born in Jefferson, Wis., on April 3, 1945, to Arthur and Anna (Cairns) Carlson. She was the youngest of six children and grew up on the family farm, working hard and babysitting her many nieces and nephews. After graduating from Jefferson High School, Shirley moved to Madison and began working as a typist at the Bureau of Graduate Records.

Shirley met Stanley L. Sitts at a young people's group at Bethel Lutheran Church and they were married there on August 10, 1968. They built a house near Lake Kegonsa outside of McFarland where they raised their three sons, Todd, Shane, and Erik. Shirley loved gardening and being a mother and homemaker. She was a beautiful seamstress and made her own wedding dress as well as drapes for their home. Shirley was beautiful inside and out and had the prettiest smile and loveliest laugh ever! She was loved by her kitties and dogs whom she cherished. She was very active in her church and Boy Scouts and went on many Boy Scouts retreats. Their son Erik became an Eagle Scout. After the boys were in school, Shirley began working at Van Hise at UW Madison Office of Alumni and Cuna Mutual until her retirement.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Stan of Arlington, Wis.; her son, Todd (Martina) of Fitchburg, Shane (Kelly) of Fairborn, Ohio, and Erik (Jean Gray) of Deerfield; two granddaughters, Gabriella and Sofia; five step-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Shirley is also survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dixie and Paul Matt of Madison, Ila and David Maughan of Dodgeville, and Nola Sitts of Lancaster. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Marian Erust, Inez Zarnstorff, and Myrtle LaVasser; brothers, Arthur Jr., and Leonard “Lenny”; and in-laws, George and Delphine Sitts of Bloomington; and brother-in-law, Jim; and niece, Kristalyn Sitts of Lancaster.

The family would like to thank Azura Memory Care for their kindness and compassion to Shirley and family the past five years and Agrace HospiceCare of Fitchburg for their palliative care in prioritizing pain management and symptoms, comfort and emotional care for Shirley and the family during her last few months. God bless all of you for your dedication and tenderness shown to Shirley.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services of Madison is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.866allfaiths.com.