Shirley Pearson Archer

Shirley Pearson Archer (5/15/1933–12/07/2023) Shirley Pearson Archer age 90 passed peacefully into her eternal rest on 12/07/2023 at Dimensions Living Appleton Wisconsin. She was born 5/15/1933 in Duluth Minnesota to Walter N. and Hannah Anderson Pearson. When a young child the family moved to Ripon Wisconsin where she spent her childhood. She graduated in 1951 from Ripon High School where she excelled in music becoming an accomplished and award winning pianist and vocalist. She also had a love of animals and horses and spent many hours developing her talents as an equestrian. She then moved to Milwaukee to attend nursing school and work as the executive secretary for Hunter Tractor and Machinery. She met Clarence “Bud” Archer in 1953 while he was attending Naval Station Great Lakes and the two were married in 1955 in Mercedes Texas. Shirley and Bud raised four children, Cheryl, Robert, Kris and Linda in Houston Texas and Madison Wisconsin. Shirley spent many years as the accountant for the family sporting goods businesses along with involvement in school board activities and community outreach programs. Shirley and Bud moved the family to Mount Horeb Wisconsin in 1978. Shirley joined the United Methodist Church of Mount Horeb and spent many years as the pianist for the youth music ministry program. She worked for Lands End for a number of years in the Call/Customer Care Center. Upon her retirement she became a tour guide at Little Norway which was one of her most beloved places to be. She also spent many years offering special musical opportunities, along with her dear friend Connie Peterson, at dozens of retirement and nursing care communities. She moved to Appleton Wisconsin in 2017 to be near her son Bob after she was diagnosed with early Dementia. She was able to spend the last 6 1/2 years of her life journey bringing joy through music and happiness to her fellow residents and staff at Carolina Assisted Living and Dimensions Living Appleton. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bud, mother Hannah, father Walter, Bud’s parents Mildred and Clarence, brothers Walt and Dick, nephew Tom and many dear friends. She is survived by her children Cheryl, Robert “Bob”, son-in-law Allen, Kris, Linda, son-in-law Mike, 4 grand children, 4 great grandchildren and her grand dog Faith. She is also survived by with numerous nieces, nephews and great nephews and nieces. The family wishes to thank the care teams at Dimensions Living Appleton, Asera Care Hospice and Moments Hospice for their amazing and compassionate care during Shirley’s final journey in life. Donations and memorials can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association of Wisconsin and Saving Paws Animal Rescue Inc. of Appleton Wisconsin.

Shirley Pearson Archer

May 15, 1933 - December 7, 2023