Shirley Mae Kemerer White

Shirley Mae Kemerer White, a loving and nurturing wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2025, at the youthful age of 97.

Shirley was born to Scott Kemerer and Annie Leese Kemerer on June 26, 1927 and grew up in Irwin, Pennsylvania. With her life-long best friend Betty Hamilton she went to Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio where she double-majored in math and physical education. She met Bob White at a softball game, and while, as he told it, "she didn't give me the time of day," she quickly knew he was the one. They married in 1950, and their daughter Carol joined the family in 1963.

Shirley was a teacher and mentor to a countless number of students during her fifty-five-year career. After teaching math and physical education in Ohio including at The Ohio State University, Shirley moved to The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where she taught physical education, nutrition and dance while Bob coached their basketball team. When she wasn't teaching, Shirley and Bob hosted students at their home, inviting them over for dinner when they couldn't get home during school breaks. Groups in her nutrition classes cooked healthy dinners at their home as part of their course work. Shirley was her husband's biggest fan and loved supporting his players. She cooked pre-game dinner for his basketball team every home game and washed the uniforms between games when the team went to the national tournament in Kansas City.

A kind, generous person whose love made you feel like you were the most important person in the room, Shirley enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her many wonderful friends. Shirley was preceded in death by her soulmate, Bob, after 70 years of marriage. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Hustad (John); granddaughters, Lydia Schifsky and Sly Schifsky; her brother, Maynard Kemerer; and many former students and colleagues.

● A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church 115 4th St N, Stillwater, MN 55082 on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 10:00 am, with visitation beginning at 9:30am. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church on their website www.trinitylc.org or to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Foundation and designated for the Men's Basketball Fund. Gifts are accepted online at uwosh.edu/foundation/give-to-uwo/give-online/. Checks can be made payable to UWO Foundation, designated for men's basketball, and mailed to 625 Pearl Ave., Oshkosh, WI 54901.

We are so happy Shirley and Bob can once again celebrate March Madness together.