Shirley M. Panka, 74, of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin died Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Crossing Rivers Health Systems, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Shirley Marie was born December 7, 1943 to Clifford and Bonnie (Harris) Cull in Boscobel, Wisconsin. She attended school in Fennimore, Wisconsin.
Shirley was united in marriage with Tom Panka on February 11, 1964 at St. Lawrence O’Toole in Mt. Hope, Wisconsin. Three children were born to this union. She worked as a Radio Dispatcher at the Prairie du Chien Police Department for twenty- five years, retiring in 1999 and was an EMT on the Prairie du Chien Rescue Squad. She was also a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Shirley enjoyed fishing, gardening and genealogy. Her greatest joys were her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Tom Panka of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; children, Maria (Daniel) Titlbach of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, Tom Jr. Panka of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and John Raymond Panka of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and her siblings, James Cull of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, Evelyn Olmstead of Boscobel, Wisconsin, Mary Olson of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, Joy Olson of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, Margaret Caufman of Eastman, Wisconsin and Gloria Troester of River Falls, Wisconsin.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Bonnie Cull; and two brothers, Charles Cull and Raymond Cull.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 22, 2018 at St. John’s Church of the Holy Family Parish in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin with Rev. James C. Weighner as the celebrant. There will be a one hour visitation before mass at the church on Friday.
Burial will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, June 22, 2018 at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Eastman, Wisconsin.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin is helping the family with arrangements.