Cover photo for Shirley Mischke's Obituary
Shirley Mischke Profile Photo
1943 Shirley 2021

Shirley Mischke

January 12, 1943 — October 16, 2021

Centennial

Shirley Ann (McGuire) Mischke, age 78, died at her home, Monarch House in the Carillon at Belleview Station, Denver, Colorado on Saturday, October 16, 2021, after a seven year battle with FTD, frontal temporal dementia.

Shirley was born January 12, 1943 to Francis L. “Frank” McGuire and Beverly B. (Beckman) McGuire in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her Elementary and Junior High education was at Little Flower of Jesus Catholic School in Sioux Falls. In 1961 she graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls. After graduation she completed her education as a Registered Nurse at Presentation School of Nursing, McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, and Northern State College, Aberdeen, South Dakota. After graduation Shirley worked in obstetrics and pediatrics at McKennan hospital and at the South Dakota Crippled Children’s Hospital and School (now Lifescape) in Sioux Falls, pursuing her passion for working with babies, toddlers and small children.

She met Gary Mischke at a graduation party for the McKennan nurses, thrown by Gary’s friends, a gang of South Dakota State College engineers,. They dated for a year and a half and were married on May 8, 1965 at Little Flower Church in Sioux Falls, a union that lasted 56 years. Three children were born to this union; Angela Marie, Joel Gary and MaryBeth Ann. Shirley spent the next 25 years of her life moving around the United States making a home for her lucky children and loving husband. Their travels took them to Rapid City, SD; Bridgewater NJ, Des Moines, IA; Omaha, NE and Parker, CO. With their children grown and permanently ensconced in Colorado, they continued on to Madison, WI and Winnipeg, MB. Shirley was tireless in her support of Gary’s career, often sacrificing her own career plans and breaking friendships when it came time to move on. When Shirley’s first grandchild, Madelynn, was born, Shirley said it was time to return to Colorado so she could be near her growing family. Shirley and Gary moved back to the Denver area, the place all the Mischke’s call home.

Shirley and Gary lived briefly in Parker, Colorado and then built their dream home in Larkspur, Colorado. They lived in Larkspur for 17 years, the longest they had ever spent in one place. In 2019 Shirley’s growing battle with FTD and Gary’s poor health led them to move into the Carillon at Belleview Station in Denver, where Shirley resided until her death.

Shirley’s great joys in life were children, spending time with her family, singing in choir, listening to music, and tending her houseplants and flower gardens. She volunteered at the Women’s Crisis Center to help women and their children escape abusive situations.

Shirley is survived by her husband Gary, her children Angela Taulman, Joel and Erica Mischke, and MaryBeth and Jef McKenzie, and her grandchildren Madelynn Taulman, Colton Mischke and Riley Mischke. She is also survived by her sisters Janice Calkins, Mavis McGuire and Ken Chatzinoff, her brother Wayne and Sharon McGuire, and sisters-in-law Yvonne McGuire, and Algene and Don Larson; and brother-in-law Ron and Connie Mischke. She is also survived by nieces Debra Rancour, Lori Houchin, Lisa Brennan, Molly Dickman, Kristi Larson, Jennifer Mischke and Elke Mischke; and nephews Gregory Chatzinoff, Michael McGuire, and Mark McGuire.

She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Beverly McGuire; her brother, Glen McGuire; her brother-in-law, Carrol Calkins; infant niece Kathleen Calkins and nephew, Steven Larson.

Funeral Services for Shirley Mischke will be held at Horan & McConaty Mortuary at 11150 E. Dartmouth Avenue, Aurora, Colorado on Friday, October 22, 2021. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM with services from 11AM to noon. Shirley will be laid to rest at Olinger Hampden Gardens at 8600 E Hampden Avenue, Denver, Colorado after the service at about 1PM. Her family requests that all service attendees wear virus masks. You are welcome to join virtually for the Visitation and Funeral Service through the following link: https://bxcited.com/shirley-a-mischke/

In lieu of flowers or gifts, her family requests donations to Shirley’s favorite charities that minister to children: Raise the Future (formerly the Adoption Exchange) 1325 S. Colorado Blvd, Suite B700, Denver, Colorado 80222 or raisethefuture.org/donate; or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or stjude.org/donate.

May Shirley live on in the memories of those who loved her.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Mischke, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, October 22, 2021

10:00 - 11:00 am (Mountain (no DST) time)

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Funeral Service

Friday, October 22, 2021

Starts at 11:00 am (Mountain (no DST) time)

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Graveside Service

Friday, October 22, 2021

Starts at 1:00 pm (Mountain (no DST) time)

Olinger Hampden Memorial Gardens

8600 E Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80237

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