Shirley Huskins

Shirley E. Huskins, age 92, of Edina Passed away Friday, December 27, 2019 Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, William E. (Bill) Huskins, Jr., in 1985. She is survived by daughter Deborah Huskins (Alex Andrea), son William Charles Huskins (Diana Carey), three grandchildren Alyssa Andrea (Takashi Hatta), Kellen Andrea and Estelle Huskins, a great-granddaughter, Hiori Hatta, nieces and nephews, and their children. She has led this wide family network for generations. Shirley was born on December 26, 1927 in Cosmos, MN and lived there with her parents and sisters. She graduated from Litchfield High School and attended Gustavus Adolphus College and the University of Minnesota. She worked at Northwest Airlines, where she met Bill. They married on June 24, 1950. They lived in Tokyo, Japan in the 1950s and 60s, where Bill held several successive positions with Northwest. Shirley volunteered in a variety of organizations including: the Japan America Society of Minnesota, from which she received the Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership in 2009; the Normandale Japanese Garden, serving on its Board; and, Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, serving as Council Secretary for many years, cooking at Cathedral of the Pines camp, and volunteering at Rolling Acres home for children with disabilities. Shirley and Bill loved the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and built a family cabin near Ely, which continues to be a legacy of family activity and appreciation of the wilderness. Shirley lived her life with grace and dignity, guided by the values of her faith and her respect for all people. She had a loving, kind, generous, humble, engaging and adventurous spirit that was recognized and appreciated by all who knew her. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 25 at 11AM at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Ave. S., Mpls. Visitation will occur at the church one-hour prior to the service. Private interment. In keeping with Shirley's passions, donations are preferred in lieu of flowers to Mount Olivet Cathedral of the Pines Camp, Friends of the Boundary Waters, or the Normandale Japanese Garden.