Shirley Ann Frantz

life story

Shirley, a woman devoted to her faith, family and friends

“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

About Shirley

Shirley Ann Berglund was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 8, 1928, the second child of Thurston and Adella (Strand) Berglund. Her childhood years were happy and adventurous and included life on a Wisconsin farm with chickens (and a special cow named Blossom) and some time at a more urban setting in Robinsdale, Minnesota. When Shirley was a teen, the family moved to a small hobby farm in Shorewood, Minnesota. She walked—sometimes skied—three miles each way (yes, the distance has been fact-checked) to attend Excelsior High School where she graduated in 1946.

It was around that time that Shirley met Donald Risvold Frantz, whom she knew would be the love of her life. He felt the same about her, and they were, indeed, made for each other. They married and lived in a little summer cabin in the woods near Excelsior, where they raised four amazing children. Shirley loved her life as a wife, mother and homemaker. Over the years, she and Don took on many ambitious projects together to modernize and expand the home for their growing family. Ultimate DIYers!

Even after Don’s sudden passing in 1985, Shirley continued to live in the family home for several years and eventually downsized to a townhouse in Minnetonka. When daughter Jackie and son-in-law Dennis bought a home in Eden Prairie that included an in-law suite, they created a lovely “nest” for  Shirley, where she lived for 13 years.  For the last three years of her time on Earth, Shirley lived at Presbyterian Homes in Minnetonka and remained very independent even after “graduating” to assisted living in 2025.

During her early life and then her “retirement years,” Shirley was active as a volunteer in many organizations, including Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, prison ministries and Bible Study Fellowship. She also held various part-time jobs including being hired as a companion to an elderly woman (who became a dear friend), working as a greeter at Coldwater Creek women’s fashion store, and being a seasonal gift wrapper at JCPenney. For three years she was “nanny” (AKA Gigi) to her first great grandchild, Mia— a role she cherished. Shirley cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taking great interest in their ever-changing lives and praying faithfully and regularly for each.

Throughout life, Shirley treasured time with family: her parents, whom she so admired, her siblings and cousins (who were also her friends) her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her nieces and nephews—and all the related in-laws. She had a special kinship with her mother-in-law, Cordie Frantz, and was herself a wonderful mother-in-law to her children’s mates. Shirley outlived her dear life-long friends from their schooldays, all of her beloved siblings and their spouses, and most of her cousins. Also, she outlived three bouts of cancer, always with a can-do spirit. In every role and relationship, endeavor, trial and triumph, Shirley’s strength and guide came from her faith in the Word of God and her Lord, Jesus Christ.

Shirley passed away suddenly on May 21, 2026. She was preceded in death by parents, Thurston and Adella Berglund; husband Donald Frantz; siblings, Thurston Berglund II, Jean Case, Arlene Shaw,  Donald Berglund; son, Guy Frantz; grandsons Ian and Tony.

Survived by daughters Connie (Bruce) Bastyr, Dell (Dana) Hedtke , Jackie (Dennis) Olmstead; nine grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and very special brother- and sister-in-law Jack Frantz and Diane McBrearty.

A celebration of life service will take place on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Wooddale church, 6630 Shady Oak Rd, Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Due to renovation at the church, please use entrance #3 or #4 on the north side of the building. Doors will open at 10:30.

A visitation and luncheon will follow the service.

For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed, starting at 10:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Caring & Sharing Hands or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choice.

memorial service

Memorial Service

August 10, 2026

Wooddale Church 6630 Shady Oak Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, USA

Due to renovation at the church, please use entrance #3 or #4 on the north side of the building. Doors will open at 10:30.

A visitation and luncheon will follow the service.

For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed, starting at 10:45 a.m. To access streaming, enter the following address (in full) into your browser:

https://www.wooddale.org/events