Shirley Lorraine Kero, 87, passed from this life to her eternal home on December 10, 2016, at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, MN.

Shirley was born at home in Toivola, MN on Dec. 17, 1928, and grew up enjoying working on the family farm there.

She graduated from Toivola high school, went to business school in Duluth, and lived her adult life in the Duluth/Superior area, having a carreer as secretary/office manager for Willie Lumber Co., and Tomlinson Lumber Co.

While in her 20's, Shirley purchased a cozy cabin on beautiful Lake Vermilion, where for 60 years she enjoyed hosting family and friends, and delighted in her natural surroundings, as well as befriending all the neighborhood dogs and their owners at Wake-em-up Village.

Shirley travelled widely after retiring, including to her beloved Finland.  She was active in Kaleva, and was proud to have met Finland's president Halonen in 2008, when FinnFest was held in Duluth.  She was a lifelong Twins fan, and a music lover of wide tastes from the children's tunes that her mother sang, to Elvis, John Denver, and the Finnish national anthem.

After a heart attack in her 70's, and a stay at St. Luke's Hospital, she so charmed the medical staff with her stories and humor, that she became the face of St. Luke's on billboards and television, decked out in her Twins uniform.

Shirley was preceded in death by her mother, Ellen Kero; father, John Jalmer Kero; brother, Earl Kero; brother-in-law, Wendell Condra; and great nephew, Matthew Kero.

She is survived by three sisters, Elaine (Richard) Fox (AZ), Joyce Condra (MI), and Beverly Swanson (MI); sister-in-law, Mary Kero (MN); her dearest friend, Dolores Quinn (WI); several cousins, fourteen nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews, and two great-great nephews.

All will remember her wonderful stories, ready laughter, great generosity and her kind heart.  Much appreciation goes to niece, Jennifer Kero, RN, Hermantown, who provided many hours of loving care and companionship to Shirley in her last months of life.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2017, at Hope Lutheran Church, 10676 Co. Hwy 52, Meadowlands, MN.  Arrangements by Downs Funeral Home of Superior, WI.