Shirley M. Zacharias

Shirley M. Zacharias (nee Button), 85, of Brown Deer passed away on January 1, 2024, just two days shy of her 86th birthday. After suffering from a broken hip, she entered hospice care at the end of December. The family would like to thank the staff at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa and Ruth Hospice for providing care to Shirley in her final weeks.

Shirley was born on January 3rd, 1938 in Racine, WI to the late Edward and Jessie Button (nee

Haswell). She married the late Ralph Zacharias on January 15, 1955 and the couple moved to

Grafton, WI, later settling in Cedarburg where they became longtime parish members of St Francis Borgia. She continued to reside in Cedarburg until June of 2019. A homemaker while married to Ralph, she went to work for Formart Containers in Cedarburg after his death. She would later work as a housekeeper at Luther Haven in Milwaukee for over 15 years until she retired.

Shirley was truly a kind, gentle and generous person who lived for her family and was willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends visiting, shopping, going out to eat, gardening, watching movies and old tv shows and playing cards on family game nights. She also enjoyed spending time with her beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren, and grand-dogs & cats.

She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Jessie, husband Ralph, stepfather Herbert Lamp, children Danial and Susan, sister Nancy Adkins, brother Charles Button as well as several in-laws and other family.

Shirley leaves behind sons John (Karen) and James (Terry) Zacharias, daughters Linda

Zacharias and Laura (James) Gaertner, Grandchildren Sarah (Timothy) Emanuel, Hannah Zacharias, Jennifer and Jacob Gaertner, great grandchildren Uriah, Zivah, Sierra and Bailee, sister Norma Timo, half brothers Michael & David Lamp, cousin Rosemarie Rasmussen. She is also survived by other nieces, nephews, family and friends.

While her family will miss her presence in their lives, they are truly grateful that she is now at peace and no longer in pain as she reunites with her creator.

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Krause Funeral Home, 7001 West Brown Deer Road in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Services to follow at 12:00 PM.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Shirley M. Zacharias, please visit our Tribute Store.