Shirley Anne Sauber

Shirley Anne Sauber, age 87 and formerly of Midland, MI, passed away peacefully at Brookdale Assisted Living in Portage, MI on January 15, 2018. Shirley was born on March 19, 1930 in Lake Linden, MI, the daughter of Albert and Marie (Lulaid) Pelland. On January 24, 1953, also in Lake Linden, Shirley was united in marriage to William (Bill) Joseph Sauber, who preceded her in death in 2014 after over 60 wonderful years together. Shirley received her nursing degree from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Green Bay, WI. A registered nurse for nearly 30 years, Shirley was passionate about healing and caring for others. Shirley and Bill raised their four children in Midland, MI. After retiring, the couple moved to a cozy cottage on Loon Lake near Rose City, MI, where they were members of Holy Family Parish in Klacking Creek. Shirley and Bill escaped the snowy Michigan winters each year by relocating to Gulf Shores, Alabama for the season, where they had many close friends. Shirley enjoyed her hobbies of gardening, cooking, playing Euchre, and entertaining family at the cottage every summer. Shirley was a skilled cook, known for her delicious buttery pasties (a northern Michigan specialty), famous orange rolls, tart brandy slushies, warm cookies, and banana custard. She was thoughtful, caring, and will be missed dearly. Surviving are her children, Jeanne (Jonathan) Sauber-Rosenberg of Silver Spring, MD, Susan (Thomas) Barnard of Murrieta, CA, Thomas (Joy) Sauber of Kalamazoo, MI and Mary Kay (Albert) Bolles of Arlington Heights, IL; as well as a sister, Kathryn D’Agostino of Hancock; 10 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. A family celebration of Shirley’s life will be held in Kalamazoo.