Shirley Ann Budin, 81

Shirley Ann Budin, age 81, of Montgomery, died peacefully at her home on June 30, 2025, after spending two weeks under hospice care.

She was born at home on the farm in Union Hill, MN, to Norbert and Viola Weiers on May 31, 1944. She was the oldest of 12 children. She graduated from New Prague High School in 1962. She went to beauty school in Minneapolis and got a job at Southdale Mall at Doll House Beauty. 

In the fall of 1964, she met Francis “Oscar” Budin at the Park Ballroom in New Prague. After chatting, they discovered they both lived in Minneapolis, but both had grown up in the nearby towns of New Prague and Montgomery. Oscar happened to know Shirley’s friend and co-worker, Jean, through his sister, Carol. To their surprise, Shirley and Oscar also owned the same model of car. Both had a new 1964 Chevy Bel Air from Zoff in Montgomery which is certainly the only reason she declined his offer for a ride home that night. She did, however, agree to see him again in Minneapolis and that was just the beginning of their love story.

Shirley and Francis got married on May 7, 1966, and they lived in an apartment in Richfield until 1967. From there, they moved to a house in Burnsville where they raised their sons: Jeff, John and Jamie. They also grieved the loss of two infant sons, Norbert and Joseph. They lived in Burnsville for 42 years until they moved to their current home next to the Budin farm in 2009. 

Through the years, Shirley and Oscar enjoyed many activities together including gardening, fishing, hunting deer, cleaning chickens and spending time with grandkids. After retiring in 2000, they spent 16 fun winters snowbirding in Florida.

She is survived by her devoted husband; her children, Jeff (Erin) Budin, John (Kristi) Budin, James Budin; grandchildren, Maya Fluegge (Brandon), Evan Budin, Owen Budin; siblings, LeRoy, Rosemary, Victor, Jerry, Helen, Donna, Bonnie, Nancy, Denie and Lee. She is preceded in death by her parents, infant sister, LaVern; infant sons, Norbert and Joseph; brothers-in-law, Richard Schoenecker and Bud Kager.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 9, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home – Montgomery Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny, Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church. Private family interment will be held at St. John’s Cemetery in Union Hill. Schoenbauer Funeral Homes is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Alzheimer’s Association, Autism Society of MN and/or St. Croix Hospice-Mankato. 

https://ausm.org/donate/. Send Donations to: St. Croix Hospice, 111 Star St., Suite 109, Mankato, MN, 56001.

Oscar’s message to Shirley:

Thanks for 59 years of a wonderful life.  You were always there to have fun, adapt, and overcome all that came our way. The George Jones lyric, “He stopped loving her today” keeps coming to mind, but only because you are in heaven now and my love goes with you. Thank you for being my partner and best friend.