
Shirley Arlene Waataja, age 85, passed away surrounded by her family at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids on Nov. 16, 2023.
Shirley was born June 22, 1938 in French Lake Township to Raymond and Ailie (Bajari) Karie.
She attended French Lake Country School and Annandale High School where she graduated with the Class of 1956.
On May 3, 1958 she married Paul Waataja with whom she recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. They made their home south of French Lake Corners and raised their family there.
Shirley worked a variety of jobs but found her passion doing home health care as an aide and continued there up to retirement.
Shirley and Paul took many road trips across the country. They also liked to camp and spent the last 29 years of summer weekends at Sherwood Forest near Mille Lacs Lake where she had many friends and relatives. She was an avid Twins fan and loved her furry companions she had throughout the years.
Shirley very much enjoyed the fellowship she had within her church community as well. Above all she loved her family and will forever be missed by them.
She is survived by her husband Paul, daughter Lori (Rolf Hogan, sons Jeff and John Waataja, grandchildren Michael (MacKenzie), Emily (Nick Faber), great-grandchildren Lola and Mikko Waataja. Bonus family: Derek, Erika, Dylan, Evan, Kate, Hank, Riley and Darby Hogan.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Leslie, Milo (Shirley), Melvin (Judy) and Roland Karie.
A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at Kingston Apostolic Lutheran Church.
Arrangements were handled by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Cokato, Minnesota.