Our mom, Shirley Ann Tobey (Tyler), age 22, of Reedsburg passed away on September 3, 2024.  Shirley was born to Elwin and Lucille Tyler on February 29, 1936. A leap year baby, you knew she was something special! Mom graduated from Reedsburg High School in 1955, and attended one year of teacher's college before she met the love of her life, Wayland William ”Bill” Tobey, while roller skating in Sauk City. They married on September 14, 1957. Together, they had 8 children that they raised on the family farm in Loganville until dad’s passing in 1977. After that, she became everything to us, her 8 kids ranging in age from 2 to 18, and moved us all to the big city of Reedsburg. Mom went back to school in her late 40s and earned her associate’s degree. While mom had various jobs, her biggest role in life was being our mom. She taught us the values of giving back and looking out for others. Mom volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and the Reedsburg Hospital Gift Shop, and walked with us in the March of Dimes and American Cancer Society walks. She was active at Sacred Heart Catholic Church as a member of the choir and the prayer line group. Mom looked out for her neighbors, particularly her friend Gwen who was blind and needed help getting around. Mom was a faithful Catholic and sought to instill those values in us, even though we did not always listen well.

As we grew up, Mom made sure we knew how to swim, taking us to swimming lessons at the Reedsburg Pool, even though she herself did not know how to swim. Eventually, she saw how much fun we were having, so she took adult swimming lessons and joined us in the pool!  She even purchased a membership at the Voyageur Inn in Reedsburg to be able to swim anytime of the year.  She brought us, the grandkids, and even her sisters to swim with her at the Voyageur.  Mom also enjoyed taking the boys fishing, especially Sam, where she would spend hours reading while Sam fished to his heart’s content. Mom was also an active member of the Reedsburg Area Toastmasters for over 10 years, including serving as an officer, and she enjoyed square dancing with the Circus City Square Dancers.

Mom was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her son Robert (Bob), her parents, Elwin and Lucille Tyler, seven siblings, Raymond Tyler, Evelyn Janisch, Alan Tyler, Gloria Cayse, Betty Dargel/Smith, Marilyn Bohn, and Sharon Schuett; and one granddaughter, Melissa Tobey.

She is survived by 7 of her children: Wayland “Ty” (Jean) Tobey, Rodger Tobey, Rodney Tobey, John (Brenda) Tobey, Carolyn (Doug) Stittleburg, Elizabeth (Richard) Lins, and Sam (Kat) Tobey; 10 grandchildren: Randella (Albert) Harmer, Alexandria Tobey, Andrew (Grace)Tobey, Ashley (Ethan) Cook, Amanda (Jonathon) Hawkins, Carolyn (Hayden) Krueger, Jacob Lins, Brandon (Emily) Tobey, Molly Tobey, and Zoey Tobey; and 5 great-grandchildren, Lincoln, Anica, Auri, Savanna, and Ellie; and one on the way, baby boy Krueger due this fall.

A public visitation will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg.  A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with internment following at the Calvary Cemetery in Reedsburg.

We would like to thank the special caregivers who helped mom on her journey, including those at Kindred Hearts, Nazareth Health, and Agrace Hospice.  She was truly blessed to have such a caring team. She was loved by everyone she met on her journey of life. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Shirley’s name may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church/School, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Agrace Hospice.