Shirley Sauerman Obituary

Shirley Sauerman
Born: August 17, 1927
Died: May 31, 2025
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she attended Milwaukee Lutheran High School where she was editor of the school newspaper. As a 1945 graduate, Shirley was a member of the longest running reunion class when in 2018, at the age of 91, she attended her 73rd high school reunion.
Shirley graduated from Valparaiso University, Indiana, where she majored in social work and met her husband, John Sauerman, whom she married in June 1949. Shirley and John moved from Chicago to Glen Ellyn in 1953. They resided there for 45 years and were active members of Grace Lutheran Church. When her daughters were in elementary school, she was the Glen Ellyn Council of PTAs President. Shirley also remained an active alumnus of Valparaiso University, and received the Alumni Service Award in 1982.
Shirley loved the symphony, art and theater. As an officer of the Glen Ellyn Associates to the Art Institute of Chicago, she planned speakers, luncheons and area cultural bus trips. Also, Shirley helped organize a group of volunteer ushers which served various Chicago theaters and the College of DuPage. She loved studying history and sharing her knowledge of Chicago architecture and gardening.
Shirley enjoyed wintering in Fort Myers Beach FL with her husband, John, from 1998 until his passing in December 2013. After her husband's death, Shirley moved to Beacon Hill Lombard. During her 10 years there, she served on the Beacon Hill Foundation Advisory Committee.
Shirley is survived by her daughters, Susan (Steven) Jenson and Janet (Victor) Fraccaro; five grandchildren, Erik (Janienne) Jenson, Karen Jenson, Christopher (Rachna) Fraccaro, Nicholas (Lilly) Fraccaro, Elizabeth Fraccaro; and four great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held later in the summer. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to Grace Lutheran Church, 493 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 (www.graceglenellyn.org/donate.html)