Shirley Ann Cornelius

Shirley, age 90 of Nowthen passed away peacefully at her home with family at her side.  

She lived her whole life on the family homestead, farming with her parents. As a lifelong member and student of St. John Lutheran Church and School she learned to trust in Jesus as her redeemer and friend. Shirley had a childlike faith that endured until the end. At the age of 24 she started working third shift at Federal Cartridge in Anoka and continued to help on the farm. Some of her favorite pastimes included gardening, taking care of her cats, the Minnesota Twins, watching the Friday Night Smackdown, mowing her huge yard, doing puzzles and baking chocolate chip cookies. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Clara (Gamm) Cornelius; brothers, Eugene (Leonore) Cornelius and Gordon Cornelius; brother-in-law, Norman Bohmbach. 

Shirley is survived by her sister, Vivian Bohmbach and sister-in-law, Edi Cornelius, many nieces, nephews, neighbors, family and friends. 

Funeral service at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church, 9231 Viking Blvd NW, Elk River, with visitation starting at 10:00 AM 

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Shirley’s name may be directed to St John’s Lutheran School.

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