Shirley Erks

SHIRLEY ERKS was born to Moses and Estella (Pearsall) Crow on August 13, 1935 in Pipestone, Minnesota where she was raised and received her education. After her graduation from Pipestone High School in 1955, she became employed at Feckers Produce for five years. During this time, she met Melvin Erks and they were united in marriage on May 27, 1961. Following their marriage, they resided in Pipestone. Throughout her years, she made many crafts at her home from the Pipestone Quarry. In 1971, she started working at the Pipestone Indian Shrine selling crafts to the public where she was employed until her retirement in 1996 due to health issues. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in February, 2010 at which time she had surgery. This past year, she had been in failing health and was admitted to the Pipestone County Hospice House on Wednesday, July 10, 2013. She died there on Sunday, July 14, 2013 at the age of 77 years, 11 months and one day.

She was a member of the Episcopal Church in Pipestone until they closed. She enjoyed gardening and did some coin collecting as a hobby. Throughout the years, she remained active doing her crafts which she especially enjoyed. It was always a joy for her to be surrounded by her grandchildren.

Shirley is lovingly remembered by her husband, Melvin Erks of Pipestone, Minnesota; three sons, Everett Erks of Woodstock, Minnesota, Forrest Erks and Thorne Erks, both of Pipestone, Minnesota; three grandchildren; and two sisters, Cynthia Brady of Pipestone, Minnesota and Faye (Marvin) Brune of Adrian, Minnesota. She is preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Merit, Jeff, Lloyd and Harrison; and three sisters, Ethel, Aileen and Clara.