Shirley "Mitze" Felsinger

On Sunday, January 12, 2025, Shirley Felsinger “Mitze” peacefully waltzed with the angels to heaven at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. She loved to dance and considered jitterbugging to heaven, but thought the waltz would be a more graceful entrance. Family and friends gathered to wish her well on her journey to her new dance floor. Rev. Timothy J. Mech of Trinity Lutheran Church led an inspiring prayer session to prepare her for her heavenly welcome.

Born July 1, 1938, she lived a vibrant life of 86 years. She married Gary Felsinger on April 2, 1960. They shared 64 memorable years together dancing, traveling, entertaining, cherishing time with family and friends…and of course disagreeing on a thing or two. Personally speaking… I am certain one of the highlights of their marriage was the birth of their daughters, Dawn and Gaylynn.

Family was the center of her life. Everyone turned to her for words of encouragement, wisdom, comfort or simply to chat and catch up on life. For family updates, Mitze was our intel source. She was the bond that held everyone together. One of her most cherished family moments was when her Great-Grand Daughter was named Mitze in her honor.

Time spent with friends was also valued by her. Dinners with the infamous “FFF” …. Friday, Friends, Fun group were always something she looked forward to. Good friends, good food, and a few cocktails created good times and great memories.

She was very artistically talented. She painted as a hobby. Even though it was a hobby, she always pursued excellence. She began by mastering still life. There wasn’t a vase, fruit or vegetable she couldn’t capture the essence of. For the sake of our home décor, thankfully she moved on to more complicated subject matter. She created masterpieces of abstracts to landscapes for the people she loved. Our home during the holidays looked like the cover of a magazine. Her garden was meticulously planted and cared for. No gnomes allowed but a sculptural frog or two held prominent places.

Mitze, your kindheartedness, grace, charm, laughter, and love will be missed by all. Especially by…husband Gary, daughters and sons-in-law Dawn & Dennis Daigle, Gaylynn & Paul Weaver, grandchildren Zachery (Lisa) Veldboom, Aubrey Weaver, step-grandchildren Nicole (Derek) Schenk, Laura (Tyler) Martin, Sarah Isidoro, great-grandchildren Max & Mitzie Veldboom, and brother Ronald “Butch” Zaletel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank & Emma Zaletel, in-laws Peter & Cecelia Felsinger, brother Frank Zaletel Jr., sisters Delores Jones & Darlene Gartzke.

A celebration of her life will be held in Spring. We are enormously thankful for the amazing care she received by everyone at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. Please donate in her name to Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.

P.S. We miss you dearly but are comforted by the fact we know you are watching over us as you always did. Oh…and please forgive Dad for throwing away your treasured Elvis album collection.

Ballhorn Chapels is assisting the family. Online condolences and memories may be shared on our website at www.ballhornchapels.com