Shirley Ann Sittler

Shirley Ann Sittler (nee Baum) age 93, passed away April 15, 2023, with her son Paul and daughter Sue at her side.

She was born November 25, 1929, to Paul Baum and Helen Beckman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her father died when she was 2 years old. When her mother remarried she moved to Davenport, Iowa until she was 14 years old and returned to live with her Grandma Baum and her Aunt’s Emmy and Alma, where she enjoyed an extended family of cousins and other aunts and uncles. She married at age 20 and had two children.

She overcame a lot of difficulties in her childhood and went on to have a long, satisfying life. She raised a family, which truly was her joy. She managed her husband’s construction business; first in Menomonee Falls, then San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Pompano Beach, Florida. Closing her home in Menomonee Falls and moving to Puerto Rico was a challenge she rose to and managed with her organizational skills. After divorcing, she returned to the Milwaukee area where she once again settled her family into their new lives.

She worked for Dr. Berman, a Dermatologist where she managed his practice for about 8 years, and then was the office manager for 5 Cardiologists at St. Joseph Hospital for 20 years. When she retired in 1995, she relocated to Green Lake, WI and started a Professional Pet Sitting Service. She cared for many animals, mostly dogs and cats but also a horse, donkey, and iguana!  She volunteered at the local animal shelter near Green Lake and worked part time at the Caestecker Library. One of her many pleasures at the library was organizing the annual book sale. She was very happy with her retirement life.

She returned to the Milwaukee area when she was 75 years old and resided in Brookfield for the past 18 years where she lived an active life until recent years when her health declined. She insisted on maintaining her independence and living her life on her own terms until the end.  She told her kids she looked forward to especially seeing her Grandma Baum, Aunt Emmy, sister Sharon, and her cousin Darlene after she died. She hoped to meet up with her loved animals, Tina, Lady, and Pepper.

The family would like to thank her personal caregiver Nadia Solorio, her Care Team Maria Quintero and Randi Colores for helping her reach her goal of living in her own apartment as long as she did, and to the staff at Linden Grove in Menomonee Falls for their caring and compassion in her final weeks.

Memorials appreciated in Shirley’s memory to Green Lake Area Animal Shelter, N6217 Busse Road, Green Lake, WI 54941, www.glaas.org , or Caestecker Library, 518 Hill Street, Green Lake, WI 54941, greenlakelibrary.org, or  an organization of your choice.