Shirley Schwan's Funeral Service Video

Our beautiful mother, Shirley Ann (Sawall) Schwan, 93, of Hortonville Wisconsin, went to her heavenly home on Thursday afternoon, August 3, 2023 while living at Brewster Village, Appleton. Shirley was born on August 22, 1929 to the late Roy and Elizabeth (Hayward) Sawall, as the second of three children. She lived her early years with her family in New London, Wisconsin, and she graduated from New London High School. Shirley was united in marriage on February 11, 1950 to Richard Schwan, her husband of 51 years, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, New London, Wisconsin. They started their family business and after several years moved to Hortonville, Wisconsin where they lived ever since.

The pride of Shirley's life were her six children; she "loved being a mother." She will always be remembered as a kind, devoted, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. Shirley was known to be an excellent cook and family will always remember cookies fresh out of the oven after school, and the many delicious holiday meals that she prepared. Shirley was a stay-at-home mom, the secretary for the family business, and later also the secretary for the Hortonville Municipal Court for 24 years. Shirley was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, New London. She was a member of Toastmistress and Lionettes, Order of Eastern Star, and other organizations throughout her life. In her spare time Shirley sewed everything from her children's clothes, to draperies, suit coats, and wedding dresses. In her retirement she made countless Raggedy Ann dolls, each with a heart embroidered with "I love you."

Shirley is survived by her children Steven Schwan (friend, Susan), Linda (Jim) Polley, Susan (Tom) White, Nancy Abel (friend Brian), Greg Schwan (friend Patty), Mary Schwan. Grandchildren Raegen (Alex) Leonida, Jason (Jamie) Polley, Josh (Bridget) Polley, Jared Polley, Kara (Kyle) Norwood, Justin White (fiancé Angie), Cole (Lindsey) White, Heather (Dean) Brinkman, Heidi (Matthew) Anderson, Paul (Sarah) Abel, Kasey Koplien, Gracie Schwan, Adela Rogers. Great grandchildren Evangeline and Knox Leonida, Wes and Samantha Polley, Alexandria and Brianna Polley, James Polley, Carter, Liv and Zoey Norwood, Ethan White and Morgan Iverson, Mara and Kylie White, Tristan (friend Allee), Tiernan, Connor, and Finn Brinkman, Abigail and Samuel Anderson, Gage and Taylor Abel. Great great grandchildren Strat Brinkman and Brandon Roy-Geurts. Many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Richard Schwan, siblings Dorothy Finger and Wayne Sawall, Son-in-Law Chuck Abel.

The funeral service for Shirley will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at Emanuel Lutheran Church in New London with Rev. William Heiges officiating.  Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.  Burial will be in Floral Hill Cemetery, New London.

Shirley's family would like to extend a special thank you to the many caregivers who cared for Shirley while she lived at Brewster Village these past four years. Shirley always said how much she loved her Brewster family.