Shirley Elaine Milligan

Shirley Elaine Milligan, 90, was taken home by the Lord while a resident of Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer, IA, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. She was born September 19, 1932, in Oelwein, IA, the daughter of Tom and Marie "Fern" Jacoby Boleyn. She married Frank Erhardt Sr. in June 1950; they later divorced. She married Don Milligan in September 1977; they later divorced.

From 1956 to 1975 she co-owned Frank's Truck & Trailer Repair. Shirley then went to work at John Deere from 1976 to 1982 and was a member of Union Local #838 and had served as past chair of the Women's Committee. She later decided to work for herself and became an in-home senior healthcare provider from 1984 to 1998 when she retired.

She was a longtime active member of Hagerman Baptist Church and attended Bible Study weekly. Shirley was a devout Christian woman, and it was her desire that her entire family know what that meant. As a result, she had her boys in church every Sunday and there were no excuses.

Shirley enjoyed fishing, camping, playing cards, and playing board games with her grandchildren, where she typically played to win. She was always cooking and is fondly remembered for making Dough Dads, a fried bread rolled in sugar, that was a hit with her grandchildren. She was also very talented in sewing, quilting, cro-hooking and designing stuffed toys for the grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by her son Frank Erhardt Jr. of Traer; daughter-in-law Barb Erhardt of Evansdale; 9 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren and one on the way; sisters Elenora Beahr of Waterloo and Judy Walker of Cedar Rapids; brothers Sydney Boleyn of Waterloo and Roger (Marlys) Boleyn of Oelwein; sister-in-law Marla Boleyn of Washburn; and many other family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her son Michael Erhardt; son and daughter-in-law Daniel and Kathy Erhardt; great-grandson Cody Palmer; daughters-in-law Mary Erhardt and Patti Jo Erhardt; brothers Dwayne, Ralph and Tommie Boleyn; and sisters Virginia Braley, Lillian Welsh, and Mildred Braley.

Funeral services for Shirley will be Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at Hagerman Baptist Church, 1105 Knoll Ave., Waterloo, with a time of visitation an hour prior to the service. Private interment at Elgin Cemetery, Elgin, IA will be later.

Memorials should be directed to the family. Arrangements by Locke on 4th. Online condolences may be expressed at www.LockeFuneralServices.com.