Shirley Ebensteiner

Shirley A. Ebensteiner, age 89 of Sauk Centre, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at the Cura Care Center in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 2 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Mark Botzet officiating. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church.

Shirley Ann Welle was born June 14, 1936 in Melrose, Minnesota to Erwin and Alma (Zenzen) Welle. She graduated from Melrose High School in 1954. She was united in marriage to Norbert Ebensteiner on February 13, 1956 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove, Minnesota. Shirley spent over 30 years in the banking industry, retiring from First National Bank in 1998.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Queen Creek, Arizona, Prairie Pioneer Camper Club, and the Red Hat Society. Shirley enjoyed gardening, camping, traveling, and spending winters in Mesa, Arizona. She was a wonderful cook and baker and over the years, Shirley had collected over 400 cookbooks!

Survivors include her children, Nancy (Thomas) Silver of Sauk Centre and Carol (Jim) Von Wahlde of Sauk Centre; son-in-law, Duane Berns of Sauk Centre; 12 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren with one on the way; and many loving relatives and friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert Ebensteiner on October 4, 2016; parents; son, Tom Ebensteiner on October 25, 1987; daughter, Jane Ebensteiner-Berns on August 3, 2022; sister, Betty Hennen on November 28, 2023; and son-in-law, David Thieschafer on April 18, 2011.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.