ROCHELLE – Shirley C. Kersten, 96, of Rochelle, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 11 in Oregon. Shirley was born on Aug. 24, 1924 at the Rochelle Hospital the daughter of M. William and Ruth Elizabeth (Barnett) Ravnaas. Growing up on the Ravnaas farm just north of Steward, she graduated from Steward High School in 1942, having gone all 12 years in the same school building.

After graduation, Shirley spent two years working at the Babcock Royal Blue grocery store in Steward and then went to college at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, graduating with a business administration degree in 1947. In addition to her studies and a few little jobs on campus, she was active in intramural sports and a member of the percussion section in the concert band, the marching band and the Bloomington-Normal Symphony Orchestra. The Phi Kappa Phi honorary society was presented to her by the faculty. She held three teaching certificates: elementary, high school and music.

She moved to Maroa, Illinois, just north of Decatur, where she taught instrumental music, vocal music and girls’ physical education for one year in the elementary school. Then for four more years she taught elementary and high school instrumental music only in Maroa. During two summers, she attended the University of Colorado taking courses to benefit her teaching. For one year she taught music at Deer Creek-Mackinaw schools.

On June 20, 1953, she married Lyle Kersten of rural Rochelle at the Steward Methodist Church and they started farming north of the Reynolds country church near Ashton. She and Lyle took a course in farm and home management from the University of Illinois Extension to learn more

about the business aspect of farming. Her business degree also benefitted her financial responsibility in the farming business.

Shirley taught fourth grade in the Steward Elementary School for two years before her children David and Lois were born. She also did substitute teaching and taught homebound and hospitalized students. When her children were both in school, she taught Title 1 Reading half days at Central School in Rochelle.

She went to Kishwaukee College for an associate’s degree in agricultural business, accomplished in 1980. She also studied agriculture through courses at Kishwaukee taught by professors from the University of Illinois.

In 1986, she applied for a job at Walmart when the store was being set-up, as a supplement to the farming business which was in a slump in the early 80's. She worked there for 18 years, mostly as manager of the hardware department and as a pharmacy assistant. She also managed the financial aspect of the farm and assisted Lyle in the production of crops on the farm.

Shirley was confirmed in the Steward United Methodist Church in 1936 and had been an active member ever since, serving in many capacities. She credited her trust in God as the underlying strength which made her life’s activities real in the Christian sense as a believer in God. The worship and mission of her church were very important to her.

She spent two terms on the Kishwaukee College Agricultural Advisory Committee and for several years was a director of the Lee County Soil and Water Conservation District. She served a term on the Farm Service Agency committee and the Farm Bureau committee. She spent 10 years in the percussion department of the Rochelle Municipal Band.

Though she had never taken tests as to her qualification as a teacher, she thoroughly enjoyed teaching children and youth. She always tried to “follow” her students as they proceeded in life and was most gratified when they did well. Even while she was working she was permitted to put the care of her own children first and was thankful that she was blessed with two lovable children.

She tried to do her best as a follower of Jesus and as a wife and mother. Working with children was a pleasure and as a lover of the soil she and Lyle worked hard as good stewards of the land that was entrusted to their care while they were on this earth. In addition to God, family and friends, she was interested in education, agriculture and music.

Shirley is survived by her son, David Lyle Kersten (friend Laura) of Rockford and daughter, Lois Marie (Larry) Johnson of Motley, Minnesota; two granddaughters Lisa (Charlie) Anderson and Kimberly (Charlie) Carlson and great grandchildren Dayton, Camden, Ashton, Waylen and Hazel Anderson, and Eli and Owen Carlson, all of Motley; one sister, Rose Anne Kersten, Rochelle; nieces and nephews: Karen Totten (Leslie) Bonnell of Steward, Martin “Bill” Ravnaas,

Jr. of rural Rochelle, Robert (Gina) Ravnaas of Fort Worth, Texas, Mary Ravnaas (Tom) Gilbert of Houston, Texas, Beth Jones Noel of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, Carole Jones (Gregg) Nelson of Portage, Michigan, Mark (friend Carmyndee) Jones of Vacaville, California, Janet Kersten (Dennis) Stewart of Rochelle, Donna Kersten (friend, Rick) of Rochelle, Sara Kersten (Greg) Macklin of Oregon and many great nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Lyle, three sisters: Marjorie (Carl) Eiselstein, Ruth Louise (Murlin) Totten and Phyllis Jones; brother, Martin William (Virginia) Ravnaas; brother-in-law, Wayne Kersten; niece, Kathy Kersten Carlson; two nephews: Leo Eisel and George Totten, and Beth Noel’s husband, Dr. Steve Noel.

The visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 16 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, Rochelle. The funeral will follow at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 17 at the Rochelle United Methodist Church, 709 4th Ave., Rochelle with Pastor Megan Thompson officiating.

The burial will be at the Steward Cemetery, followed by lunch at the Wesley Steward Park. In lieu of flowers, Shirley requested memorials be made to the Steward United Methodist Church. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.