Shirley Layman

Shirley Ann Layman (Evenson), age 77, of Willmar, died unexpectedly on Thursday morning, March 29, at her home in Willmar.


A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 7, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 6, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.


Shirley Ann Layman was born on May 20, 1940, in Willmar, Minnesota, the daughter of Herman and Annie (Rude) Evenson. She grew up in Willmar and graduated from Willmar High School in 1958. In 1959, Shirley was united in married to Duaine Holwerda. They lived and farmed in the Roseland community. In 1980, Shirley was married to John R. Layman and they made their home in Willmar. Shirley was employed for many years at Infinia Nursing Home in Willmar in the laundry department, retiring in 2007. For the past 10 years, Shirley has worked at Walmart in Willmar. She was a lifelong member of Calvary Lutheran Church. Her hobbies included baking, reading, crossword puzzles, coloring and working outside on her yard and flower garden. She also enjoyed visiting and having coffee with her friends. Shirley loved her family and the Lord. She will be sadly missed.


She is survived by five sons, Richard (and Catherine) Holwerda of Willmar, Danny (and Jillanna) Holwerda of Grand Forks, ND, James (and Mary) Layman of Willmar, Ricky (and Jody) Layman of Balaton and Jon (and Denise) Layman of Willmar; three step-children, Karen, David and Mike Essendrup; fifteen grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren. Also surviving is one brother, John Evenson of Del City, OK, besides other relatives and friends.


She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; one daughter, Dora; one brother, Harold; one sister, Ruth Dale; and one sister-in-law, Ann.

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