Shirley A. (Shebesta) Kent, age 89, a Manitowoc resident, passed away Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at St. Mary's Home, Manitowoc.

She was born July 21, 1934 in Two Rivers, daughter of the late William and Viola (Staudinger) Pietras. Shirley attended Washington High School, graduating with the class of 1952. On July 24, 1954 she married Joseph J. Shebesta at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Two Rivers. He preceded her in death on April 25, 1982. On November 9, 1985 she married Herbert R. Kent at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Manitowoc. He preceded her in death on July 8, 2018. Shirley worked in the Payroll Department at Hamilton Manufacturing and at Mirro Aluminum in Two Rivers before her marriage. After her children grew up, she went to work in the meat department at Red Owl, A&P, and Sentry Foods in Manitowoc. When she finished at Sentry Foods, she worked as a cashier at Fleet Farm until her retirement.

Shirley is survived by two children: daughter Lynn (John) Gaus of De Pere, and son Keith Shebesta and his friend Mary Temple of Manitowoc; grandchildren: Gina Wotruba and friend Adam, and Joe Shebesta, both of Manitowoc; four great-grandchildren: Breckin and Griffin Wotruba and Chloe and Carsten Shebesta, all of Manitowoc; the Kent children: Lynn (Ray) Knapp, Kevin (Laura) Kent, Kerry (Ann) Kent, Gail (Roy) Knapp, and Patrice (Jim) Milzer, all from the Milwaukee area; twenty-two Kent grandchildren; twenty four Kent great-grandchildren; her sister: Elaine Sepnesky; sister-in-law: Doris Fricke; son-in-law: Steve Frohmauer; brother-in-law: Bob Kent; sister-in-law: Ruth Kent; and good friends: Theresa Shebesta, Matt Wotruba, and Rachel Reimer. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; a brother: Paul; daughter-in-law: Maureen Shebesta; brother-in-law: Eugene Sepnesky; Kent daughter: Cindy Frohmauer; daughter-in-law: Pam Kent; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Knollwood Mausoleum Chapel, 1500 Wisconsin State Highway 310, Manitowoc. Officiating at the service will be Deacon Alan Boeldt with entombment to follow in the Mausoleum. Following the service, a luncheon will be held for family and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, located on the southside property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, 620 North Water Street, Manitowoc.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Knollwood Mausoleum Chapel, Manitowoc.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shirley's name to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 601 North 8th Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff at The Court and St. Mary's Home at Felician Village as well as Homecare Health Services and Hospice, for the care and compassion shown to Shirley and her family.