Madison –

Shirley Jean Ewert, age 86, passed away unexpectedly after a fall on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Janesville. She was born on September 18, 1938, in Madison, the oldest of the three daughters of Frank and Clara (Ruder) Dvorak. Shirley was a 1956 graduate of Madison East High School. She also completed the nursing program and worked as an LPN for St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison for over 40 years. She was united in marriage to Gerald W. “Jerry” Ewert, Sr. on February 14, 1959, in Madison. They were blessed with one daughter and three sons, who they raised on Madison’s Northside.

Shirley was a longtime member of Lakeview Lutheran Church, Madison, where she stayed active in various groups including the Dorcas Circle. Shirley and Jerry loved to travel, including cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean as well as trips to Hawaii. She was an avid Wisconsin Sports fan, especially the Badgers and they even attended the Rose Bowl in 1994. Shirley loved spending time with her grandchildren and attending family get-togethers. She was passionate about nursing and was the “neighborhood” and family nurse, helping anyone in need. In her later years, she joined the Red Hatters and enjoyed travelling abroad with the group to Ireland, Spain and Portugal. She also enjoyed a trip to New Orleans with her son, Jerry, and fellow parishioners from Lakeview Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her sons, Jerry (Dee), Kevin (Lynn) and Steve Ewert; grandchildren, Brandy (Al) Hawthorne, Courtney (Deke) Bradley, Jacob Ewert, and Samantha Jean (Sean McMillan) Ewert; great-grandchildren, Jessica Hawthorne and Boone Bradley; and sister, Karen Shawkey.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerry; sister, Betty (Albertson) Beyer; infant daughter, Shelly Lyn Ewert; and brothers-in-law, Robert Albertson, Bud Beyer and Curt Shawkey.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Avenue. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Association | Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Help

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the wonderful staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, 4th Floor, Janesville for the exceptional care they gave Shirley. As well as the caring staff with SSM Hospice.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.