Shirley A. Kalvig

Shirley Ann Kalvig, 92, of Northwood, passed away Friday, April 5, 2024, at MercyOne Medical Center – North Iowa. 

A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 1 p.m., at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania, with Pastor Jane Harris officiating. 

A visitation will be held Friday, April 12, 2024, from 5-7 p.m., at Major Erickson Funeral Home. 

Interment will be held in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. 

Memorials may be directed to the family of Shirley Kalvig. 

Shirley Kalvig was born on June 9, 1931, in Rockwell, Iowa to Mrs. Martha H. (Popp) Paul and Egbert H. Paul. She had three sisters, all deceased, and one brother, deceased. Marcella Alice Paul, Evelyn May (Paul) Fric, Loretta (Paul) Holthaus, and Egbert Paul Jr.

She married Donald Vern Kalvig on August 18, 1947, in Kirksville, Missouri. The couple were married for 70 years. To this union, seven boys were born. Gary Gene, Daniel Duane (Barbara), C. Clinton (Stephanie), Karl Kevin (Shirley), Norman Neal (Colleen) Jeffrey James (Marlene), and Pete Kalvig. Gary, Dan, and Barbara are deceased. She had 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and numerous nephews, and nieces. She was loved. 

Pastor Hanson wanted Shirley to earn her own money, so he hired her to work at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City. It was a job she held for 56 years, as a worker in the nursery and as a custodian. Many of the children she watched grew up to have children and grandchildren watched by her. Shirley was famous for her popcorn balls on Halloween Night. She helped her husband build her dream home in Northwood. Shirley was well liked by her brothers and sisters-in law. All her family came around many Christmas Eves for her homemade soups and homemade rolls. Shirley loved travelling all over the United States, visiting family and historic sites. She loved cleaning houses for many older women and to be a companion to them. Shirley was well liked and was considered a member of their family.