Shirlie Lucille Brownlow

With profound sadness, our family announces the passing of Shirlie Lucille (Marburger) Brownlow on September 26, 2025 at the grand age of 89. Visitation will be held on October 3, 2025, from 5 to 7 PM at Bayview Funeral Home and one hour before services on October 4, 2025, from 10 to 11 AM. Celebration of life will be at 11 AM at First Lutheran Church on October 4, 2025. Service will be live-streamed as well.

Shirlie was born in Rochester, Minnesota to Lucille (Carson) Marburger and Sylvester Marburger. She spent her early years in Spring Valley, Minnesota. She was a devoted daughter, wife to her beloved Neil whom she married on December 28, 1958; mother of four, Brian, husband of Karen, Lisa Young, wife of Paul, Steve, husband of Gayle, and Mary, wife of Rick. She was grandma to 10 beautiful grandchildren; Taylor, Jenna, Collin, Jessica, Michael, Sean, Dane, Lauren, Max, and Jacob and great grandma to Garrett and Henry all whom she deeply loved and was so so proud of. Her greatest joy in life was her family. She cherished her friendship with Jacki and Wayne Sletten and countless others too many to name.

Shirlie brought Christ into her life while attending Sunday school at the Methodist Church in Spring Valley and was a member of First Lutheran Church for almost 70 years. Learning was important to Shirlie. She graduated high school in Spring Valley and then college from Winona’s Teachers College, presently Winona State University, with a degree in teaching and art history. She practiced lifelong learning and used that talent to help others. She was an educator and started the English as a Second Language program at Lakeview Elementary School, and started the adult education department at Albert Lea Technical College which included GED courses, reading and tutoring courses, post-secondary prep courses, and limited English Proficiency courses. She lived by the motto, “it’s never too late to learn”. She loved hearing about different cultures and had an opportunity to travel the world either physically or reading her Atlas as her family and friends travelled. Shirlie was a lover of art and was an artist herself creating joy with painting.

Shirlie found peace in the quiet solitude of Christ, the joyful noises of her family, and the laughter of her grandkids and great grandkids. Her home was filled with warmth and the good smells of holiday dinners, Christmas cookies, and Lefse. She loved her family fiercely. She loved to support Albert Lea through the community arts and so many other organizations like PEO, book club, WIG, and Bible studies.

Shirlie is proceeded in death by her parents, Lucille and Sylvester; her husband, Neil; son Stephen; and so many close friends.

We want to thank all who helped support her including all the wonderful staff at Thorncrest Senior living. In lieu of flowers. Shirlie would ask you to donate to a charity of your choice, First Lutheran Church youth or Albert Lea Education.

The service will be live-streamed through the First Lutheran Church, and can be watched via the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/8K7rKb4Q5q8?si=StOwZoWm4kePJUnO