Shirley M. Leu, age 87 of rural Darlington, WI passed away Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at her home in rural Darlington. She was born February 12, 1934, in Dodgeville, WI the daughter of James and Kathryn (Leahy) Rielly. Shirley graduated from Darlington High School in 1952. Following her high school graduation, she attended UW Platteville where she received her rural teaching degree in 1954. After her education, Shirley began her teaching career at Red Rock School in rural Darlington where she taught K-8 for a few years. Shirley married the love of her life, Walter Paul Leu on February 11, 1956, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Darlington. In 1962, Paul and Shirley settled on their family farm where they raised their family and lived since.
Shirley is survived by her children: Roger Leu of Browntown, WI, Tamara (Rick) Schulte of Monroe, WI, Colleen Leu of Madison, WI, and Paula Marty of Monroe; 11 grandchildren: Josh (Michelle) Leu, Nathan (Jennifer) Leu, Lucas (Janet Fenley) Leu, Jessica (Nicholas) Walker, Holly (Ronald) Krizan, Katie Schulte, Bryan (Lasy) Schulte, Matthew Schulte, Niva (Conrad Merkel) Leu, Mitchell (Jessica Mauermann) Marty, and Samantha (Ryen Smith) Marty; 14 great-grandchildren: Charlotte & Logan Leu, Kaileigh, Madilyn, & Hazel Leu, Lorelai Leu, Jade Walker, Gavin Krizan, Macsen and Levi Butts, Natalie and Abigail Hurd, Alyssa and Hannah Schulte; one brother: Richard (Patti) Rielly; four sisters: Jeanie Riley, Rita White, Marilyn Cutler, and Connie (Lewis) Burmeister; two sisters-in-law: Sue Rielly and Mary Ellen (Dave) Jacobson; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Walter Paul Leu on June 30, 2021; her parents-in-law: Walter and Frieda Leu; two sons: Robert Leu and Alan Leu; her brothers: James and Thomas Rielly; and her brothers and sisters-in-law: Clifford and Gertrude Pratt, Delbert and Mary Leu, Loren Riley, Gerry Cutler, and Jack White.
Shirley was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic in Darlington, the Red Rock Home & Community Educators, and the Lamont Hustlers 4H Club where she was a former leader. She enjoyed playing cards with special friends, gardening, writing poems, and in her earlier years she enjoyed Card Club with neighbors and square dancing. Shirley was devoted to her family and cherished the time she spent with them, especially her grandchildren and the memories they created together. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 1:00 P.M. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church (104 E. Harriet St., Darlington) with Fr. Luke Syse officiating. Burial will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery at a later date. A visitation will be held Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 11:00 A.M. until the time of services at the church.
The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com
For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Shirley’s name.
Due to COVID-19 the family requests that those who are in attendance to the visitation and funeral service to please wear a mask.
