Shirley Elizabeth Hoeve, age 58 of rural Blooming Prairie, died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at her home near Blooming Prairie. She was born Oct. 8, 1944, on the family farm east of Blooming Prairie, the daughter of Raymond and Elizabeth (Slinger) Hofius. She attended country school near Bixby, Minnesota and later in Blooming Prairie. On March 28, 1971, she was united in marriage to Walter Hoeve. The couple lived near Hayfield before moving to the family farm in Summit Township, Steele County, Minn. After her divorce, Shirley continued to live and work on her hobby farm and worked for John Jeffries on his farm near Minneapolis. She was a member of First Lutheran Church of Blooming Prairie.

Survivors include, one son, Raymond Hoeve and his fiance Shannon Witter of Owatonna and one daughter, Shelly (Rob) McHugh of Owatonna; two grandchildren, Chandelle and Taylor Witter of Owatonna; two brothers, Dale (Sue Wilson) Hofius of rural Blooming Prairie and John Hofius of Sacramento, Calif.; two sisters, Marlys (Arden) Kubista of Blooming Prairie and Marilyn Hofius of St. Peter, Minn.; her ex-husband, Walter Hoeve of Albert Lea; also many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Her parents preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 3, 2003 at the Worlein-Blooming Prairie Funeral Home in Blooming Prairie with Rev. Heidi Heimgartner officiating. Interment is at Union Cemetery of Bixby. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 2 at Worlein-Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and one hour before the service on Thursday.

Memorials to the family in lieu of flowers.