Shirley Roepke Patten was born March 1, 1936, in Buffalo Lake. She was the daughter of Edwin and Effie R. (Nelson) Roepke. She came from a large family of 15, being number six of the clan. Shirley received her education in Buffalo Lake and was a graduate of Buffalo Lake High School, class of 1954.
 On May 2, 1954, she was united in marriage to Dale Patten in Swedlanda Lutheran Church, Hector. Shirley and Dale were blessed with four children, Doug, Dean, Dawn and Leslie. Shirley and Dale shared 69 years of marriage until Dale passed on August 22, 2023.
 Shirley worked at Hutchinson Technology for many years, then as a housekeeper at their apartment complex while she and Dale resided in Edina. When they relocated to Gaylord, she enjoyed providing beauty services for residents at Bayside Manor and being part of the quilting club at American Lutheran Church, where she was a member.
 Shirley enjoyed quilting, puzzles, and sewing in her free time. She cherished her time spent with family; any time you dropped by you knew you wouldn’t leave hungry, and you better plan ahead because there was no such thing as a “short” visit with her, she was famous for her “Minnesota goodbyes”.
 Shirley passed away peacefully at Bayside Manor on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Blessed be her memory.
 Shirley is survived by her children, Doug and Karen Patten of Minnetonka, Dean Patten of Florida, Dawn Adair of Chaska, Leslie and Randy Franke of Gaylord; sisters, Eileen O’Toole, Caroline Adams, Verna Johnson, Cynthia Pine Brothers, Edwin Roepke Jr., Donald Roepke, Steve Roepke, Gene Roepke; several brothers- and sisters-in-law; 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren
 Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Dale Patten; her parents, Edwin and Effie Roepke; her in-laws, Aaron Patten and Florence (Patten) Peterson, stepfather-in-law, Randolph Peterson; sisters, Virginia Maher, Muriel Dummer, Marjorie Brandt, Darleen Klabunde; brothers, Duayne Roepke, Craig Roepke; brothers- and sisters-in-Law, and nieces and nephews
 Shirley’s celebration of life will be held at American Lutheran Church, Gaylord, on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 2 p.m. with bars and coffee fellowship following the service.