Shirley A. Tutt

SHIRLEY J. TUTT, age 77, of Kirkland, formerly of Sugar Grove, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family at Bethany Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in DeKalb, Sunday, December 11, 2011.BORN: She was born December 17, 1933, in Dunbar, WI, the daughter of Elzie Dale and Dorothy Lucille (Tewel) Parish. EARLY YEARS:Shirley’s family moved to Illinois when she was still little, settling in Kirkland where she attended local schools. Shirley enjoyed playing basketball and cheerleading at Kirkland High School where she also caught the eye of Gerald "Jerry" Tutt. MARRIAGE: A love strong and true grew quickly and they were soon married on August 10, 1951 at the Fourth Street Methodist Church in Aurora, IL.RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: They began their new lives together in Aurora until 1961 when they moved to Sugar Grove where they purchased a farm and raised their five children. After making 25 years of memories, they sold the farm and retired to Kirkland, IL. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:Shirley was no stranger to work as she always held a full time job in addition to helping on the farm and making their house a home. Over the years she worked for Anixter Manufacturing in Aurora for a time before spending the next fifteen years in food service at Provena Mercy Center Hospital. MEMBERSHIPS: Shirley was a faithful member of the First United Methodist of Kirkland where she was known as "The Mitten Lady" for making and donating hundreds of mittens every year to help children in need. She also spent time in the church’s sewing club where she shared not only stitches but stories as well. LIFE NOTES: Shirley had a crafter’s heart whose hands were always busy knitting and crocheting not only mittens, but blankets, quilts and more for family and friends. Her garden was always full which translated to shelves full of jars from the harvest each fall. In the kitchen she had a chef’s passion making mouths water as they walked in the door. Shirley had her favorite recipes, but in later years there was nothing she enjoyed more at every meal than a simple serving of cottage cheese. Country Western music spoke to her heart like no other as did her favorite romance novels. Over the years the family enjoyed camping throughout the lower 48 states but when Shirley and Jerry hit the road together, their destinations included not only Nashville, TN and Branson, MO, but Hawaii and Alaska as well. Family was most important to Shirley, a fact that helped fuel her love of genealogy. The time she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was priceless and the memories that were made will live on in their hearts forever. SURVIVORS: She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Jerry Tutt, Four children:Vickie McCann of Casper, WY, Dawn Robinson of Geneva, IL, Terry (Cherri) Tutt of Ft. Smith, AR and Bradley (Charlene) Tutt of Sycamore, IL;Twelve grandchildren:Jerry (Jennifer Radovich) Holle and their children: Lynna and Elsye, Mikayla,Christopher (Meagan) Holle, Jace Robinson, Enid (D.J.) Ford and their son, Matthew,Shawn O’Neal, Dona McCann and her children: Mason and Robin;Sherri (Steve) McQuarrie and their children: Dillon, Austin and Kolter;Jonathon (Erica) Tutt and their son, Elijah, Jennifer Tutt, Heather (Chris) Lehnert and their children: Audra Rae and Trevor, Bradley (Elyse Short) Tutt Jr., Katrina (Patrick Alton) Tutt and their children Zander and Leah;Two siblings:Betty (Norbert) Burch of Kendall, WI and Larry (Loretta) Parish of Tomah, WI;Many nieces, nephews, cousins and a community of friends including special neighbors, Ted and Judy Bruch. PRECEDED:She is preceded in death by her parents, Elzie and Dorothy and one daughter Deborah Rae Holle. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m., Thursday, December 15, 2011, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A funeral to celebrate her life will be Friday at 11 a.m., December 16, at the First United Methodist Church of Kirkland, 300 West South Street, Kirkland. Rev. Pamela Rossmiller, pastor of the church, will officiate and interment will follow at Maple Cemetery, Kirkland. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Shirley’s name to benefit her favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Shirley Tutt Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com .

Visitation will be Thursday December 15, 2011 from 3-8PM at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Friday Dec. 16, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church of Kirkland, 300 W. South St., Kirkland, IL., Rev. Pamela Rossmiller pastor of the church will officiate.

Interment will follow at Maple Cemetery, Hortense and South 1st Street, Kirkland, IL.