Shirley Jeanne Bintz

Shirley Jeanne Bintz, 86, of Wautoma passed away peacefully on October 26^th, 2023.  She was born on July 28, 1937 in Dubuque, IA to Thomas “Allen” and Virginia “Jeanne” Burns. Shirley was born on her mothers’ birthday and was followed by 9 siblings.  She grew up in East Dubuque IL and in 1974 met the “love of her life”, Donald Bintz.  She and her daughter Jodi moved to Wautoma WI where Don and Shirley were married on August 11, 1975 and had 2 more daughters, Vicki and Amanda.

Shirley had many hobbies. She was an avid reader and was known to read an entire book in 1 day.  She was an amazing baker and always had fresh cookies if you stopped by. She loved country music and was always listening to Willie Nelson or watching RFD channel while crocheting, putting a puzzle together, or doing her word search books.  All of these hobbies were accompanied by a cup of black coffee (2 pots per day).  She had an unbelievable sweet tooth for such a little lady.  Among her favorites were boxed chocolates (pressing the bottom to find the flavor and returning it to the box if she didn’t like it for the next unsuspecting person to find), Betty Jane caramels and her all-time favorite-Reese’s Peanut Butter cups.  She had on occasion eaten an entire bag in one day. 

Her love for sweets was great, but her love for family was greater.  Shirley will be sadly missed by her 3 daughters: Jodi (Dan) Struzynski, Vicki (Sean Steffes) Tollefson, Amanda Bintz; step daughter: Ramelle (Jon Croke) Bintz; grandchildren: Hannah Struzynski, Hailey (Cody Cline) Struzynski, Tyler Burant, Valor (Cassidy) Tollefson, Justice Tollefson, Jack Schroeder, Ian, Anyssa, and Dylan Gonzales, Sara Rothe; her siblings: Tom (Penny) Burns, Dick (Sue Williams) Burns, Donnie (Tana) Burns, Wendy Steffen, Linda (Ted) Roberson, Steve (Jason Anderson) Burns, Julie (Scott) Huseman and Rick (Patty) Burns;  many nieces and nephews.  Always in her heart were Mike (Bev) Ransford, Connie Jones, her long-time best friend Marilyn Carpenter, and the late Tamara Ransford and Eric Jones. She was preceded in death by her loving husband: Don in 1994; her parents Allen and Jeanne; step daughter: Donna Devlin; sister: Ginger Lee; sister in law: Elsie Burns and brother in law: Loras Steffen.

A celebration of life will be held on November 17^th from 2-4:30 at Leikness Funeral Home in Wautoma.  Shirley’s family would like to thank the staff of Juliette Manor for the love and compassionate care she received the last 4 years. We are forever grateful.