Funeral services for Shirley Ann Fowler, age 68, of Port Charlotte, Fla., formerly of Albert Lea, will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. The Rev. Roger Haug will officiate.

Shirley died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004, at her daughter’s home in rural Alden.

Shirley Ann Fowler was born July 24, 1935, to Donald A. and Hazel (Mattick) Steinhauer in Foster Township. She grew up in Conger and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1953. On July 22, 1956, Shirley was united in marriage to Gary Erickson in Albert Lea. She had a daycare in her home and then worked as a dietary aide at Naeve Hospital. Shirley was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. She married Larry L. Fowler on Dec. 17, 1994, and the couple has lived in Florida for the last 10 years. Shirley loved riding in the truck &045; seeing the countryside and visiting with friends she just met.

Her passion was sewing &045; making tiny blankets for the “preemies” at the local hospitals and larger, warmer quilts for the homeless and needy. But visiting her &uot;kids” was what Shirley was all about.

She collected teddy bears, stuffed and ceramic, big and small, and enjoyed playing bingo.

Survivors include her husband, Larry of Florida; children: Debra and her husband Terry Gregory of Deadwood, S.D., formerly of Owatonna, Cindy and her husband Rick Babcock of Alden, Linda and her husband Larry Miller of Moore, Okla., and Garry and his wile Jill Erickson of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Cally and her husband Eddie Sherden of Owatonna, Derek Bogenschutz of Owatonna, Holly Babcock of Alden, Ivy Babcock of Willmar, Shane and his wife Jolene Babcock of Alden, Aaron and Duran Miller of Moore, Okla., and Justin and Julie Erickson of Albert Lea; five great-grandchildren; three step children: Dawn, Chad, and Jason; four step grandchildren; two great-aunts of Red Wing; and two nieces of Albert Lea.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Carol Larson.