Shirley Burton, 1953-2015

Published 10:07 am Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Memorial services for Shirley A. Burton of Albert Lea, formerly of Blooming Prairie and New Richland, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at First Congregational Church of New Richland. The Rev. Kent Otterman will officiate. Interment will be in LeSueur River Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may visit with family from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Friedrich Funeral Home in New Richland and one hour before the service at the church.

Shirley Burton

Shirley died on Monday, June 15, 2015, at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea. She was 62.

She was born on Jan. 15, 1953, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Ralph and Margella (Bakken) Besser. Shirley was baptized and confirmed at First Congregation Church in New Richland, where she continued to be a member. After she graduated from New Richland High School, Shirley married Vern Burton. They later divorced. One beautiful daughter was born to this union, Jessica.

For the past 25 years Shirley has shared her life with Jens Andersen.

Throughout her life, Shirley had worked at Brown Printing in Waseca, Quiram’s Bakery in New Richland — but most enjoyment came from 23 years of doing day care in her home. She loved having children around and caring for them.

She enjoyed gardening and tending to her flowers, cooking, gambling and playing games of any kind.

She is survived by her life’s partner Jens Andersen of Blooming Prairie; mother, Margella Besser of Waterville;  sister,  Susan (Michael) Pfeffer of New Richland;  brother, Allen (Halane) Besser of Alden; nieces and nephews James (Pam) Pfeffer of Mont Alto, Pennsylvania, Jill (Jerry) Johnson of Waseca, Jamie (Matt) Holm of St. Cloud, Jared (Lisa) Besser of Clarks Grove and Jeremy (Rachel) Besser of Albert Lea; and great- nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Besser; daughter, Jessica Burton; and brother, Todd Besser.

Her family states, “The way Shirley teasingly picked on those she loved, brings smiles to our faces. ‘Girls don’t be afraid of your veggies.’ She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.”