Shirley L. Ferg

Shirley Lucille (Zander) Ferg, age 90, of Manawa, WI, was called home to her Savior on Thursday, February 20, 2025. She was born on June 15, 1934, in the Town of Little Wolf, Waupaca County, to Carl and Elsie (Henschel) Zander.

Shirley was received into fellowship with the Triune God by Sacrament of Holy Baptism and publicly testified to her faith and was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Manawa.

Shirley attended Green Valley, a one room elementary school, and graduated 8th grade from St. Paul Lutheran School in 1948 and Little Wolf High School with the class of 1952. She graduated from a 2-year Rural Education course at Central State Teacher's College of Stevens Point in 1954 and started teaching in the one room Symco School. Continuing her education while teaching at different grade levels in the Manawa school system, she earned her degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point in 1964. She retired in 1989 after teaching 35 years in the Manawa school system.

Shirley was united in marriage with Lloyd Ferg on August 11, 1956 at St. Paul Lutheran Church. They worked as a team and enjoyed over 67 years of marriage. With the help of the Lord, they farmed, built custom vans, built and ran their Bavarian Village, with the bed and breakfast, gift shop, and restaurant with German food that she loved to cook and serve. She also loved her cats and birds, and watching the Green Bay Packers. Shirley and Lloyd started Oktoberfest at the Village in August of 1998, and it was held for the last time in 2010 with at least 1000 people attending, to enjoy polka bands, food and beer. From 1978 - 2010 a beautiful Christmas Nativity display could be seen on the hill at the Village. They loved traveling and enjoyed their numerous buying trips to Germany and Austria.

Shirley is survived by her brother: Dean (Pat) Zander; brother-in-law: Gordon Ferg. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd in 2023; sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Loretta and Ron Herman; sister-in-law: Barbara Ferg; brother-in-law: Alvern (Elaine) Ferg, nephew: Jerry Ferg; great-nephew: JD Zander.

The Christian Funeral for Shirley will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 11:30 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Manawa with Rev. Nathan Reichle officiating. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 am until 11:15 am. Burial will be in Union Cemetery in Symco. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church.