Our beautiful mom, grandma, great grandma, sister and friend, Shirley Jane (Jenson) (Cramer) Battig, age 84 of Buffalo, MN flew into the arms of Jesus on Friday, October 18, 2019, at The Oasis, Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo, MN.
She was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1934 in Decatur, Nebraska—the daughter of Cecil F. and Grace E. (Ball) Jenson.
In 1976, Shirley J. Cramer and David H. Battig were joined in marriage after being introduced by a friend while both working for Honeywell. They were married for 39 wonderful years until he preceded her in death on August 13, 2017.
Shirley retired from Honeywell after 30 years of service as an Inspector.
She loved all things red, Bluegrass music, feeding and watching the birds – especially the Cardinals that visited her yard daily. She was well versed with her bible and well-read — keeping us abreast with daily news and politics. She was a skilled embroiderer and baker, earning many 1st and 2nd place ribbons at the Wright County Fair for both. She was an amazing cook with the ability to quickly prepare a delicious and lavish meal and serve it with heart filled joy! But, and above all else — she loved and appreciated her Lord and her family, from the littlest to the greatest.
She loved us all so well, always ready to give a word of encouragement, a hug and having an open-door policy for a meal or a conversation. Throughout her life she cared for and ensured that anyone in her family or friend in need, was taken care of. Her children fondly remember her “must-go” meals, meaning she would use ingredients that “must-go” from the refrigerator, and her “happening” meals that meant they were eating something never eaten before. Her bedtime rituals for her children included Irish songs, passed down from her Mama Grace and bedtime stories – told not read. Often, she would insert her children’s name into the song or story.
Her church work includes officer for Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), alter guild, communion preparation, leading women’s bible studies, childcare, serving and coordinating soup suppers and special dinners. When vacation bible school was about to begin, she would go around the neighborhoods inviting families to the program. Later she would be seen with Mama Grace cruising through town and the church parking lot, music blaring from her red convertible with the license plate that read, “Go Granny Go”. She was an active member of MCCL (MN Concerned Citizens for Life) for many years, driving her red convertible for the group in the Buffalo parade. Further, Shirley was a past member of the Wright County Historical Society.
As gentle and loving as she was, her quick wit and often surprising humor could sometimes catch people off guard.
She loved! She loved life – every single minute of it no matter what “life” brought to her day.
Shirley is already missed so much by her family and friends…we will never be the same.
She is survived by her children, Debra (James) Holcombe, Kelly Cramer (Sue), and Kevin Cramer; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Janice (Jim) Locke, Marilyn (Gerry) McLarnon, Lidja (Gerald) Rudelitsch, and Patricia (Jerry) Wilke; and many nieces and nephews who she loved on over the years.
In addition to her husbands, John E. Cramer and David H. Battig, she was preceded in death by her son, Thomas E. Cramer; and brothers, Michael, Boyd and infant brother Darrell Jenson.
Funeral Service will be held Monday, October 28, 2019 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior at Buffalo Covenant Church in Buffalo, MN. Interment will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Buffalo.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Shirley was my father’s (Francis Ball) niece. I was happy to get to know her a bit through correspondence. Her faith in God guided her through sorrow and happiness. We shared a love of dogs. It is sad that she is gone, but I know that she is happily in God’s arms now. My heart felt condolences to her family, who I know will miss her light.
Mom…I miss you more.
I am so honored to have cared for Shirley while she was on my Oasis unit! She touched my heart and my life in so many ways and I will never ever forget her! I loved her beautiful smile and her awesome personality and how she always had to make sure everyone was ok! Even when she was in her darkest hours and wasn’t feeling well she was more worried about everyone else. I miss her so much and I miss us singing the chicken song! She always called me her little “brat” but always said it with a smile 🙂 I wish I could attend the funeral but I have to work! I will hold all of you dear to my heart and think of you and pray for you on monday! Thank you for sharing her with me!
Couldnt have asked for a better Grandma and friend. She will be missed dearly.
Shirley was my Aunt. Her Brother Boyd was my Dad. I have many fond memories from family gatherings at her home as a boy. I’m very grateful for her kind manner and great sense of humor. She was a great cook and I enjoyed that. However I did get quite I’ll one time after eating an undercooked piece of BBQ chicken at one of those gatherings. I’m pretty sure Aunt Shirley had nothing to do with that. I know my Dad loved her dearly and I’m certain they are having a wonderful reunion along with Grandma and Tommy and the other loved ones that have preceded her. May God Bless my cousins and my other Aunts with peace and comfort during this time of temporary separation. God be with you til we meet again.
My beloved Aunt Shirley is in the arms if JESUS! I know that she heard the words we all hope to hear when we enter into HIS presence in HIS Kingdom HE has prepared for those who love HIM:” Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the Kingdom I have prepared for you.” Rest in eternal peace. I love you and look forward to the day when we will all be together to worship our amazing GOD.To HIM be the glory and honor, now and forever.
My Aunt Shirley
I held her high all of my life
She was an amazing person
From her huge heart to her fun personality she was in my opinion the Matriarch of our family !!
And accordingly will be missed dearly by all of her family and friends
First of all I want to send love, hugs & kisses to my other Aunt’s in this time of great loss of your sister Shirley! What I know about her is that she would want us to celebrate her life! As someone else said she loved life! The thing I will remember is how she loved & took care of her mother & my grandmother Grace! She is with her now! As with many of our other loved ones that left us far too soon! My sister Connie, my brother Danny, & cousin Tommy! We all will all be together again someday as it has already been done! Don’t worry Aunt Shirley I’m feeding the birds!! Rest In Peace in the arms of Jesus! Say hi to brother Boyd! ????????
Shirley is also survived by David’s four daughters and their families.
Aunt Shirley understood the importance of the lost art of letter writing. The hand-written letters I received from her were filled with love, sentiment, and the latest news she chose to share. I will miss the simple joy of receiving her letter, walking inside with that little envelope, peeling it open and taking in the gift it offered. Long after we are gone, no one will care about the million texts we may have sent. But these letters from Aunt Shirley will always be near and dear to my heart. It’s seems so fitting that Aunt Shirley was born on Christmas Day- when all around the world, we are celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus. Christmas in heaven. What do they do? They come down to earth to spend it with you. So save her a seat. Just one empty chair. You may not see her, but she will be there. I will miss her so much and I’m forever grateful for the love she demonstrated to our family. She showed us how to honor our parents by taking care of grandma Grace. She even shared a DVD on how to make Grandma’s delicious homemade bread. So many great memories never to be forgotten – love you Aunt Shirley. May you Rest In Peace ????????????
I knew Shirley for many years. I first met at church. She was a strong christian women who I admired. She never would judge anyone, loved everyone. She would go out of her way for the lost or troubled. When I think of Shirley, she loved God, Family, Friends. She was the BEST cook ever. She will be missed. I know she has a speicial place in heaven.
My heart goes out to her family.
Shirley was a wonderful person! Kind, funny and the best friend anyone could ask for were just a few of her attributes. She was always there for our Mom when she lost her husband and when she had extended stays in the hospital. We hated to ask, but she always made us feel like it was her pleasure to help us. I always enjoyed listening to them talk and loved her reference to “My David” – they were a great example of a loving couple, always putting each other first. Feeling blessed to have known her and how much she loved her entire family. We know she is in heaven with many of her family, friends and Jesus. Suffering is over for her but we know the pain and lost feeling the family has and our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. All of you were so LOVED!