Shirley Birenbaum

Shirley Birenbaum of Cedar Grove passed away Tuesday evening, May 6, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 92 years old. 

Shirley was born in Fredonia on April 29, 1933, to William and Lena (nee Jungers) Biever. 

She attended local schools and graduated from Random Lake High School with the Class of 1952. 

Following her schooling, Shirley worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Port Washington. 

She met Richard Birenbaum at a dance on Easter weekend in 1958. They were united in marriage on Oct. 10, 1959, at St. Rose Catholic Church in Fredonia. Together they would move onto Richard’s family farmstead to begin their own family, raising 10 children together and instilling them with strong values of faith and work. Years later, she used those skills to babysit for many other children in the area.

Shirley was a faithful member of St. Nicholas Church, currently part of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, where she was a sacristan for more than 40 years. She took pride in keeping the church in top-notch condition, doing so until just a few weeks before her passing.  

Shirley enjoyed caring for her home and yard, cooking and baking for her family  and knitting items for charity.   

Shirley is survived by her 10 children, Paul Birenbaum of Cedar Grove, Perry (Sue) Birenbaum of Cascade, Leon (Lisa) Birenbaum of Random Lake, Patricia “Patty” (Andy) Nielsen of Bourbonnais, Ill., Ann (Paul) Sanford of Duluth, Minn., Roger (Lori) Birenbaum of New Berlin, Dale (Connie) Birenbaum of Newton, Scott (Jill) Birenbaum of Plymouth, Brian (Debbie) Birenbaum of Plymouth and Bruce (Traci) Birenbaum of Adell. 

Also surviving are 30 grandchildren, Hannah, Joe, Matthew, Marie (Jeremy), Jacob (Alexia), Madelene (Brady), Samuel (special friend Courtney), Jon (Emily), Doug (Katie), Andy Jr. (Laura), Margaret (fiance Julian), Clara (Jeremy), Richard, Michael, Nick (Morgan), Noah, Allyssa (Jacob), Zachary (special friend Meadow), Owen (fiance Erin), Joshua (special friend Isabella), Jenipher, Ashley (Andrew), Michael (Emily), Megan, Sarah, Bailey, Payton, Tanner, Dakota and Bristol. 

She is further survived by 21 great-grandchildren (and four more expected soon!), sisters Mary Ann (Walter) Thill, Adela (the late Richard) Hartman, Luella (the late Steve) Harter and Trudy (the late Gary) Carlson, sister-in-law Rosanne (the late William) Biever and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, brothers Allen (the late Lili) Biever and William Biever and sisters Eleanore (the late James) Yax and Ellen Biever.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2025, at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, St. Nicholas Chapel. Father Don Thimm will preside. The family will greet visitors on Friday from 2 to 4:15 p.m. 

Shirley will be laid to rest beside her husband at St. Nicholas Cemetery the following day. 

If desired, memorials in Shirley’s name are suggested in lieu of flowers.

The family would like to extend a thank you to Kris Hildebrand, the staff at Sharon S. Richardson Home Hospice, especially Sherry and Mary Ann, and everyone else who helped make Shirley’s passing peaceful.

Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.