Obituary of Shirley Ann Jentzen

Shirley Ann Hartway was born on February 15, 1940, in Utica, Michigan. She was one of four children born to the union of Edgar and Katherine (Molholski) Hartway.  Shirley attended Utica High School in Utica, Michigan, graduating with the class of 1957.

On June 17, 1961, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica, Shirley married the love of her life:  John Jentzen and together the couple was blessed with three sons.  For many years, Shirley and John made their home in Rochester Hills, Michigan before settling in the Monroe community in 1989 where they would raise their three boys.  They were proud owners of the Jentzen Perennial Farms where they harvested vegetables, perennial flowers, and herbs year-round.  Shirley was a member of the Perennial Plant Association and the Hand Bell Choir at Trinity Lutheran and St. John Lutheran Churches. She was an avid bowler spending many nights at North Hill Lanes in Rochester, Michigan and Monroe Sports Center in Monroe.  She was an opportunistic bird watcher, who was always happy to catch a glimpse of a new bird species. Frugal in her own way, Shirley loved to cook and can typically making use of whatever the farm didn’t sell during the season.

Shirley loved being outdoors and working in the greenhouse, seeding or in her words “playing in the dirt”.   Although not formally educated, she was an avid self-taught horticulturalist very well versed in her plants.

Shirley Ann Jentzen, age 82 of Monroe, Michigan passed away unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday; January 17, 2023. Her passing was preceded by her parents:  Edgar and Katherine Hartway and a sister: Paulette “Jean” Mazur.

To cherish her memory, she leaves her loving husband of sixty-one years:  John W. Jentzen of Monroe; three sons:  Robert (Linda) Jentzen of Hazel Park, Michigan, William Jentzen of Monroe, and Brian (Lori) Jentzen of Monroe; a brother:  Calvin (Irma Lee) Hartway of Goodells, Michigan; a sister:  Caroline Vore of Monroe; thirteen grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Friends may gather on Tuesday; January 24, 2023, from 2:00pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185.   Shirley will lie in state at 10:00am on Wednesday; January 25, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church; 323 Scott Street, Monroe, Michigan 48161.  A Celebration of Her Life will follow at 11:00 am also at Trinity with Pastor Mark Duerr officiating. Burial will take place at 10:00am on Thursday; January 26, 2023 at Christian Memorial Gardens West in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials for those who desire are suggested to the Trinity Lutheran Church General Fund.  Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.