Shirley Mayers

Shirley A. Mayers, age 65 of Swanville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A gathering of friends and family will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 1 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Shirley Ann Karnes was born October 1, 1958 in Little Falls, Minnesota to Hoyt and Joyce (Allen) Karnes. She graduated from Grey Eagle High School in 1976 and furthered her education at St. Cloud State University with an emphasis in Criminal Justice. She was united in marriage to David Mayers on May 27, 1978 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Swanville. Leading up to her retirement, Shirley worked at Little Falls middle and high school working as a student advocate for 16 years. After retirement, Shirley’s passion for antiquing led Shirley and Dave to running their own antique store. She enjoyed feeding the birds and wildlife, and had a special place in her heart for her cats, Steele and Ramsey.

Survivors include her husband, Dave Mayers of Swanville; children, Benjamin (Tiffany) Mayers of Sauk Centre, Joel (Kristin) Mayers of Rice, and Shanelle (Scott) Masog of Tucson, Arizona; six grandchildren, Nathan, Colton, Seth, Mason, Eva, and Bella; parents, Hoyt and Joyce Karnes of Burtrum; brothers and sisters, Shelley (Mike) Barthel, Joe (Olivia) Karnes, Shari (John) DeFoe, Jerry (Patricia) Karnes, James Karnes, and Shannon (Glen) Throener; and many loving relatives and friends. 

Shirley was preceded in death by her grandson, Joseph Mayers; grandparents, Joe and Neva Allen; and father and mother-in-law, Ray and Alda Mae Mayers.