Shirley Ann Kuusisto

Shirley Ann Kuusisto

January 12, 1934     October 9, 2023

Shirley Ann Kuusisto, 89, Hibbing, died Monday, October 9, 2023 at Spirit of Home in Hibbing, MN.  She was born in Owosso, Michigan on January 12, 1934 to John George and Mary Margaret (Kozumplik) Prikasky. She spent her early years growing up on a dairy farm with her parents and her sister Joyce (John Cook). She was honored as valedictorian at Ovid High School in 1951. Shirley graduated from Michigan State University in the Spring of 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.

Shirley married Paul Jacob Kuusisto in Berlin, Germany July 1, 1955; where Paul was serving as a military policeman for 2 1/2 years in the United States Army. Shirley and Paul welcomed their first born, Gary (Susan Chicos) while in Berlin. Her four other children are Richard (Lynn Brom-Kuusisto), Ted (LaRae), David (Julie), and Lisa (Scott) Leffel. Her grandchildren are Jordan, Jason, Jeremy, Bethany, and Rylee.

After her children were older, Shirley earned an educational certificate to teach children with mild and moderate learning disabilities. She taught in these areas for 20 years in the Hibbing School District.

Traveling by various tours was also one of her favorite activities, having visited more than 25 different countries. She especially enjoyed Turkey, Egypt, and Greece where she could study ancient artifacts and antiquities.

After retiring, Shirley volunteered in the Foster Grandparent Program in the Hibbing school district. She also taught Sunday school for more than 59 years in several different Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregations.

Funeral services for Shirley will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church in Hibbing.  The Rev. Tim Yearyean will officiate.  Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am memorial service at the church on Wednesday.  Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery of Hibbing.  Donations may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church building fund.  Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing. 

To leave an online message of condolence please visit us at; www.doughertyofhibbing.com.