Sylvia M. Shierk, age 91, passed away peacefully at home on March 15th, 2026, with her family by her side. She was a long-time member of St. Mary Parish, a shared prayer-partner with her husband, and a humble and gracious person of great faith.
She was born February 1, 1935, the daughter of the late Frank and Marie (Widmar) Schoettler. She attended St. George School through ninth grade and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1953.
In October 1954, she married Vincent Schultz, who was killed in an automobile accident in May of 1973. In July of 1975, she married Wilson Shierk. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary last July.
Sylvia attended Gateway Technical College, earning her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) license. For several years, she worked in the nursery at Kenosha Hospital and then for 20 years at various nursing facilities in the area.
Sylvia loved nature, the changing of the seasons, the constellations in the night sky, and especially her many trips to her cottage near Shawano, Wisconsin. Her cabin on the lake offered many opportunities to share time with her mother, family, and friends, including drawing, watching old movies, and cooking her favorite foods.
Early in life, she developed a love for singing. In grade school, she and her sisters sang as they washed the dishes. She joined the St. George Choir and sang on Sundays and for special church occasions. As a member of the Bradford High School Choir, she was one of the “three little maids” in the operetta, The Mikado, and sang from the top of the choir’s singing Christmas tree.
For nearly forty years, she enjoyed singing as a member of two Sweet Adeline choruses. She proudly displayed the five gold medals won in international competition as a member of the world-famous Melodeers Chorus located in Northbrook, Illinois.
Survivors include her husband of fifty years, Deacon Wilson Shierk; her six children: Rita (late Andy) Davis, Jean (Richard) Hendricksen, Susan Thomas, Cristine Kaseberg, Thomas Schultz, and John Schultz. She is also survived by two stepchildren: Rosmary (Jeff) Martin and Wilson “Andy” (Babette) Shierk, and by a very special “daughter”, Sophie Dorceus. Additional survivors include 15 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, her sister Margaret (late Bill) Kraft, her brother David (Sandy) Schoettler, and many relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Marie Schoettler, her first husband, Vincent Schultz, her sisters Lois Wilson, Carol Hall, and Kathy Starr, a brother, Frank Schoettler, a son-in-law, Andy Davis, and many family members and friends.
The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at Hospice Alliance and Froedtert Hospital, to the spiritual support from Father Roman and Father Bill, from the St. Mary Parish staff and her special friend, Maria Mercado. Their loving care made her last days at home comfortable and peaceful.
Visitation will be held at Proko Funeral Home on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. An additional visitation will be held the following day, Saturday, March 21, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment will immediately follow at St. James Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the following organizations would be appreciated by the family: The St. Mary Parish St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Program, The Shalom Center, Bread for the World, Save the Children, or other non-profit justice-focused organizations.
