Shirley Helen Rasmussen Heisler

Shirley Helen Rasmussen Heisler, 88, Woodstock, died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at Hearthstone Manor.

She was born March 5, 1925, in Waukegan to Carl and Lucille (Barkoske) Rasmussen. 

On Aug. 19, 1950, she married Richard G. Heisler in Woodstock. 

She lived in Waukegan for the first few years of her life, then lived in Libertyville until 1940. Her family moved to Crystal Lake. She graduated from Crystal Lake High School in 1943 and went on to Northern Illinois State Teachers College and earned a degree in teaching physical education. She worked for a year at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft and became a “Rosie the Riveter,” working on airplanes during the war. Her first job as a physical education teacher was at St. Charles High School. She continued friendships with many of her former students. She also taught for two years at St. Mary School in Woodstock. In 1962 she started teaching at Woodstock High School until her retirement in 1978. Over the years, she had many students and made an impact on many lives. 

After retirement, she and her husband traveled in their camper all over the United States. They were among the founding members of the Woodstock Woodchucks Camping Club. She was a member of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church for more than  50 years. 

Survivors include a daughter, Judy (Heisler) Wett, Crystal Lake; a son, Wade (Debra) Heisler, McHenry; five beloved grandchildren, Jillian (Michael) Nazarof, Grayslake, J.J. (Sheena Dravis) Wett, Genoa, Kristin (Benson) Sanford, Algonquin, Kimberly (Mark) Kunkle, McHenry, and Kelly Heisler, McHenry; a great-grandson who was the apple of her eye, Jonathan Nazarof; brothers and sisters, Carlyle (Marjorie) Rasmussen, RuthAnne (Clem) Marley, Jack (Jane) Rasmussen, Janet (Eugene) Gulgren, Pat (Jack) Frothingham and Kay (Edward) Lutz; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband in 2008, her parents and her in-laws Jacob and Grace Heisler. 

Visitation was Dec. 27 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home. The funeral Mass was Dec. 28 at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church. Interment was at McHenry County Memorial Park. 

Memorials can be made to Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007; or The Illinois Elks Crippled Children’s Corporation, 1201 N. Main, P.O. Box 222, Chatham, IL 62629.