Shirley A. (nee Pirkel) Lichtenberg

Shirley A. Lichtenberg, 89, of Beaver Dam passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Hillside Manor surrounded by family. Shirley was born the daughter of Henry and Lorena (Luebke) Pirkel on March 12, 1936, in Columbus, WI.  She attended school at Woodland Road School by Hustisford and Mayville High School.  Shirley met her husband of 45 years, Darwin, while waitressing tables at the local restaurant in Hustisford. Shirley and Darwin created their family farm DDL Inc. and ran it together with their two children.

Shirley was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Hustisford, where she also belonged to the Ladies Aide.  In addition to farming, she was a member of the Sinnissippi Settlers Homemakers Club, sold Avon, worked part-time for a pharmacy inventory company and worked for the Hustisford Township for 20 years as the Treasurer and the Clerk. Shirley had a passion for canning and sewing and passed these talents down to her great-grandchildren.  She was a blessed wife, mother, grandma and nana and will be missed dearly. 

Shirley is survived by her children Dennis Lichtenberg of Hustisford and Karen Lichtenberg of Beaver Dam; her grand-daughters, Rachel (Chris) Dryden of Forston, GA, Rebecca Rennhack of Brandon, Kimberly (Jeremy) Zimmerman of Juneau and Amanda (Daniel) Hendrickson of Cambria; her great grand-children Rhea, Ash, Ethin, Avery, Harley, Aiden, Adleigh.

She was preceded in death by her husband Darwin, daughter Leann, daughter in-law Nancy Lichtenberg, parents Henry and Lorena, parents-in-law Walter and Elsie Lichtenberg, sister Darlene Buss, nephew Terry Buss and three infant brothers: Daniel, Duane, and Dalton.

Shirley was fortunate enough to have her daughter, Karen Lichtenberg, provide for her care at home so she could be with family, friends and her two dogs Otis and Leena until November 28th, 2025

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you plant a tree in her memory or donate to Bethany Lutheran Church in Hustisford.

Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Hustisford. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM, service will follow. Private committal will be held at a later date.

The Lichtenberg family would like to share their gratitude for the wonderful care Hillside Home Care & Hospice provided Shirley.

The Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home – Hustisford has helped serve the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley A. (nee Pirkel) Lichtenberg, please visit our floral store.