Shirley J. Pagenkopf

Shirley J. Pagenkopf Saginaw, Michigan Shirley Jean (Pete) Pagenkopf was called to her eternal home on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the age of 89 years 5 months and 1 day. Shirley was born on December 27, 1935, in Saginaw, Michigan to Waldemar and Edna (nee Jeschke) Pagenkopf and was a lifelong resident of Saginaw. Shirley was baptized into the Christian faith on December 30, 1935. She attended Bethlehem Lutheran Grade School and was confirmed on April 10, 1949. Shirley graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1953. Shirley worked for Saginaw Osteopathic Hospital in Saginaw, Michigan for over 30 years. She worked in various departments, with her last years spent in medical billing and credit. Shirley served on the Saginaw Osteopathic Credit Union Board of Supervisors. After retiring from Saginaw Osteopathic, she was employed by Ascension Genysis in Flint in their medical billing and credit department for over 12 years. Shirley was a lifelong member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and was active until the end. She attended numerous bible classes and called on shut-in members. She helped create bibles for the blind with the Braille Workers group. She volunteered at HealthSource Saginaw for more than 35 years, leading bible classes and assisting with church services for the residents. Shirley loved being outdoors. She rode her bicycle to work at Saginaw Osteopathic. She enjoyed just about every water sport including boating, fishing, and swimming. In the winter she enjoyed ice skating. Traveling was her other hobby. Her adventures included white water rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and sailing on a Windjammer cruise off the coast of Maine. She traveled to Israel 3 times, seeing many sights in the Holy Land and making many friends. In later years she enjoyed traveling up north and visiting family throughout the county. Shirley practiced Christian servitude throughout her life giving of her time to help others, be it teaching Sunday School, caring for sick family members and friends, joining friends in New York to help in the soup kitchens, or supporting the Saginaw Rescue Ministries. Shirley was always looking for ways to help others. Shirley’s last gift was to donate her body for medical research at the University of Michigan’s School of Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. There will be no viewing as Shirley’s remains will be interred in Ann Arbor, Michigan at a later date. Shirley is predeceased by her parents Waldemar and Edna (nee Jeschke) Pagenkopf; two sisters and brothers-in-law Eleanor (David) DeGraff and Margaret (Alfred) Buetow. She is survived by two nieces, Cheryl (Alan West) DeGraff and Marie Ann Buetow; one nephew, David J. DeGraff; and one great-niece Ada Marie West; cousins, Susan (John) Clauss, Carol Colberg, Richard (Susan) Turner, Robert Turner, Glenn Turner, Carl (Sandra) Jeschke, Margaret Jeschke, and Janice Hintz. Special friends, Randy (Amy) Flood, Joshua Flood, Jeremy (Ashley) Flood, Melissa Bergant, Cassandra Bergant, Clarissa Bergant and Cammi (Andrew) Earns. Shirley’s Memorial Service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 808 Weiss Street, Saginaw, MI on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Visitation will take place the same day from 12 Noon to 2:00 PM at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Braille Workers of America or The Lutheran Hour. The family would like to give special thanks to the 6th Floor North Staff at Covenant HealthCare Cooper in Saginaw. Memories and sympathies of Shirley may be shared with the family on her memorial website at WakemanFuneralHome.com

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Shirley J. Pagenkopf

December 27, 1935 - May 28, 2025