Shirley M. Knowlton, 93, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at Sacred Heart Care Center.

Shirley Marjorie Eitreim was born Oct. 23, 1924, in Rock County, Minnesota, the daughter of Willie and Julia (Edmundson) Eitreim. She attended school in Beaver Creek, Minnesota, graduating with the Class of 1942. Following her graduation, Shirley attended business school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On Nov. 8, 1947, she married Dale D. Knowlton at Palisades Lutheran Church near Luverne, Minnesota. The couple moved to Austin in 1956, where Shirley worked for Austin Public Schools as a secretary for the business director in the administration office, retiring after 26 years. Shirley was a devoted fan of the Minnesota Twins and belonged to the Mower County Senior Citizens Center and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir. She loved to golf, read, play bridge, take walks, and was an excellent dancer. After retirement, Shirley enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii, and taking many bus trips. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Shirley is survived by her children, Jill (Steve) Johnson of The Villages, Florida, Steven (Brenda) Knowlton of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Susan (Bradley) Bednar of Austin; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Warren Eitreim of Parker, South Dakota, and Milton (Mary Lou) Eitreim of Savage, Minnesota; one sister, Mildred Larson of Armour, South Dakota; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dale, in 2017; two brothers; and two sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with Pastor Karen Behling officiating. Visitation will be for one hour immediately preceding the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.