SHIRLEY DASHNER

Shirley Ann (Geer) Dashner, of Neenah, age 85, passed away on September 24, 2014, at Bridgewood Nursing and Rehabilitation facility in Neenah, WI. She was born September 14, 1929, to Esther (Restzlaff) and Jack Geer, of Appleton. Shirley was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, entrepreneur and homemaker. She was married to Joseph Dashner on October 20, 1951, in Battle Creek, MI. Shirley loved spending time with her family. After her marriage to Joe, Shirley worked for the Telephone Company and with her husband owned and operated Dashaven Kennels where she bred, boarded and showed dogs. She later worked for Neenah Menasha Multiple Listing Service, Northern Land Company and Outagamie and Kaukauna Housing Authority. Her accomplishments and hobbies include ceramics, needlework, wood carving, dog breeding and showing, bookkeeper and author. Shirley published articles for Decoy Magazine and Hunting and Fishing Collectible Magazine, where she formed life-long friendships. She and Joe were founding members of Winnegamie County Dog Club. Shirley, Joe and their son, Dean, ran a business known as Hunting Rig Books and Decoys, where they made numerous friends throughout the country by attending sporting and collectibles and decoy shows. Shirley was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, the Theda Clark Auxiliary, Midwest Decoy Collectors Association, Minnesota Decoy Collectors, Midwest Chippers, Great Lakes Decoy Collectors and other decoy and carving clubs. Shirley will be dearly missed by her daughter, Darla (Jan) Hoelzel, son, Dean (Lynn) Dashner, daughter, Danette (William) Henke, and daughter, Darlene (Jeff) Johnson; grandchildren: Leslie (Joe) Reinke, Lindsey Hoelzel, Nicole, Michael and Emily Dashner, Rachel, Heather and Kristen Henke, Kayla (Tyler) Collier, Brittany Johnson (fiancé, Cesar Bonilla); great-grandchildren: Carley and Paul Reinke. Shirley is also survived by a brother, Jim (Ann) Geer; a brother-in-law, Francis (Nancy) Dashner; and sisters-in-law: Delores Provincial and Joyce Geer; many nieces, nephews; four step-grandchildren: Brad Johnson, Andrea Woldt, Rachel Johnson, Brandon (Sam) Brandt; many step-great-grandchildren; and her close friends: Harold Tornow, Marilyn Shutte, Jane Fitzgerald; and countless other friends. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Dashner; her parents, John and Ester Geer; a brother, John Geer; sisters-in-law: Bernice Geer, Marcella Welch; a nephew, Ronald Welch; and her father-in-law, Michael Dashner; and mother-in-law, Rose Allen. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 29, 2014, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 140 S. Green Bay Rd., Neenah, with The Rev. Stephen Dietzler officiating. The visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 AM until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Bridgewood for their loving care, Dr. Gizell Larson, and her past nurse practitioner, Carol Keberlein, and the staffs at Hospice Advantage and Theda Care at Home Hospice.