Shirley Marie LaFond, 78, of Sturgeon Lake, passed away peacefully with her family by her side after a courageous battle with ALS on Thursday, September 17, 2015 in Augustana Mercy Health Care Center, Moose Lake.

She was born June 12, 1937 in Des Moines, IA to George and Gladys (Harberts) Nichols. Later in life, in her retirement years, Shirley was blessed to have met and be united in marriage to Virgil D. LaFond on July 11, 2009 in Moose Lake. Shirley worked in the insurance business most of her life; most notably with Travelers Insurance and The Rockwood Company of Chicago. Shirley was a member of Hope Lutheran Church and Choir of Moose Lake, Autumn Voices Choral Group, Windemere Lake and Landowners Association, Moose Lake Historical Society and Mercy Hospital Auxiliary. Shirley lived an active, social life, placing high importance on family and friends. She also enjoyed singing, dancing, cooking, traveling, and she loved gazing at the lake and watching her birds with a morning cup of coffee.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents; husband, William L. Arnold and her brother, George "Buddy" Nichols.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Virgil LaFond of Sturgeon Lake; 3 daughters, Debra (Kris) Cree of Golden Valley, Diane (Jack) Cree of Indianapolis, IN and Leslie (Blake) Batterson of Chicago, IL; son, William Arnold of Streamwood, IL; grandchildren, McKenna Batterson and Hunter Batterson; sisters, Barbara Gallagher of Des Moines, IA and Georgia Angle of Meredith, NH.

A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday, September 24, from 10 AM until the 11 AM Celebration of Shirley's Life in Hope Lutheran Church, Moose Lake. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers. To sign the guestbook online, go to: www.hhkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.