In Shirley's early years, she worked as a waitress at Colonial Ice Cream parlor in Twin Lakes, an assistant at Sweetbriar Veterinary Clinic, along with her husband Sam, together they were owners of the Alpine Inn Restaurant in Twin Lakes, and later Shirley worked at the Auburn Hills Golf Course Snack Shop.
Sam recalls how he first met Shirley. His cousin, and 2 other friends, went "school hopping", which is going to different schools' study halls and talking to the other kids including the pretty girls. They first went to the small town of Seymore, Missouri, but there wasn't much going on there. Sam then suggested to go to Fordland, another small Missouri town. Once inside the school's study hall which was filled with several students, Sam's attention was drawn immediately to Shirley sitting at the back of the room. It was love at first sight. Sam thought she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen and had to meet her. He introduced himself as Sam Branstetter. She said, "I know who you are, I already heard about you". Sam asked if she was going steady, and she said "no". Sam quickly asked, " about going on a date" and she said reluctantly "I guess". But then on date night, Shirley wasn't anywhere to be seen. So, on the following Monday, Sam went back to the school, found Shirley, and asked "how come you stood me up?" She replied, "I heard that you were a "bad" boy". Sam, being the lady's man he is, said "the only way you can know me, is to go out with me" and the rest is history, as they say.
Shirley married Sammie Joe Branstetter on September 30, 1954, and enjoyed nearly 70 years together. She loved gardening, flowers and had such a green thumb she could grow anything. Most of all Shirley really enjoyed spending her time at home with her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents; daughters: Carolyn and Terry; her brothers: Ivan, Homer, Blaine and Kenneth.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Sam; 2 daughters: Vickie Theobald and her husband, Mike and Debbie Mandel and her husband, Dan; 5 grandchildren: Andrea, Robbie, Jerad, Shane, Nathan and 7 great grandchildren.
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