Shirley A. Jertson

Shirley A. Jertson, age 88, of Spring Valley, Minn., formerly of Preston, Minn., died Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Spring Valley Living.

Shirley gifted her body to the Mayo Clinic Anatomy Department.  Memorial services will be held spring of 2022.

Shirley Ann Larson was born October 1, 1933, to Selmar B. and Alma (Knudtson) Larson in Lanesboro, Minn.  She was baptized and confirmed at Union Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Lanesboro.  Shirley graduated from Preston High School in 1951.  On December 8, 1951, she married T. Perlam Jertson; they later divorced.  She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, served as Sunday School Teacher, and council member.  Shirley was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary, served as treasurer and president, Master Gardener, past member of Preston Ambulance Service.  She enjoyed being part of the Chatfield Brass Band and Hiawathaland Sweet Adelines.  She also volunteered her time as past treasurer of the Fillmore County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, was a driver for Semcac and an RSVP mentor.  For almost 11 years she owned and operated Preston Greenhouse and Floral.

She is survived by three sons: David Jertson of Arizona, Paul (Terri) of Medford, Oreg., and Wayne (Sally Keller) of Omaha, Nebr.; two daughters, Peggy Bjortomt of Preston, Minn., and Michele Schwalbe of Harmony, Minn.; five grandchildren: Brian Bjortomt of Missoula, Mont., and his daughter Raynee; Jamie Bjortomt of South St Paul, Minn., Heather (David) Steiner of White Bear Lake, Minn., and their children Cordell, Evelyn, Arthur and Lyndon; David Jertson of White Bear Lake, Minn., and his children Addison and Carter, and Timothy (Lora) Schwalbe of Savage, Minn., and their children Ethan and Maddie.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter Catherine Bjortomt, brother Ralph Larson, and sister Alice Soffa.

Memorials may be given in Shirley’s memory to Preston Public Library or American Cancer Society.