Shirley Hickmann
4:00 p.m.
Location: Zimmer's Westview Funeral and Cremation Care Center

Shirley L. Hickmann, 71, of Woodland Manor, Sheboygan Falls, formerly of 1323 Jefferson Avenue, Sheboygan, passed away Thursday, March 11, 2010 at Aurora Memorial Hospital. Shirley was born October 28, 1938, in Sheboygan to the late Elmer and Antonia (Walus) Ewig. She was the seventh of eight children. She attended St. Peter Claver grade school, graduated from Central High in 1957 and designed the unique annual cover entitled “Premiere”. She went on to study art at UWM. She was an accomplished artist, favoring oils, pen and ink and charcoals. She was an impeccable seamstress, often designing and sewing many of her own clothes.

Shirley married Jerome Hickmann on October 1, 1960 during a Solemn High Mass with the Claverlads Boy’s Choir singing. Both the Mass and the choir were a gift from the priests to the couple since they both were very active at St. Peter Claver, running the clubrooms for teens, religious instruction as well as initiating the Friday fish fry.

Shirley worked in advertising for Schultz Co. (Piggly Wiggly) food stores for many years. Then her interest in crafts and antiques took her to Port Washington where she operated a crafters consignment outlet on the harbor front next to her Ewig family fish market. That sparked an idea and both Shirley and Jerry pioneered and promoted the riverfront development in Sheboygan. They opened The Wharf because they recognized a need to service sports fishermen with licenses, gas, lures, fish cleaning/smoking, and refreshments. Shirley obtained her captains license and was captain of the “Sorry Charlie” charter fishing boat. She started the popular “Powder Puff” derby. Only five brave women were the original powder puffers and the event has grown to hundreds of fisher-women today. After selling the Wharf, she worked at the Sheboygan Press for several years. Shirley served on the Mead Library Board. Her interest and love of the library and all it offered prompted her to seek part-time employment there, and she worked until she had a stroke which paralyzed her left side.

Besides her parents, her husband Jerry preceded her in death and also a brother Elmer Ewig, a sister Virgel Leonard as well as a sister-in-law Dorie Ewig and brothers-in-law Al Hoell, and Paul Leonard. Shirley is survived by three sisters, Dorothy Hoell, Betty (Russ) Anderson, Donna (Dick) Suscha, and two brothers Eugene Ewig and Frank (Corinne) Ewig. She is further survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and other friends. Shirley was a beloved aunt, great aunt and great-great aunt to well over 100 children and was godmother to many.

Shirley was an avid reader, a lover of music. She gave her time and shared her talents freely. She loved parties, planning, decorating and cooking for her family and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 4:00 P.M. at Zimmer’s Westview Funeral and Cremation Care Center (Hwy 42 & JJ, Howards Grove) with Sr. Marilyn Brodd officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service. Burial will take place the following day at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Please visit zimmerfuneralhome.com to send email condolences.

Quote by Eleanor H. Porter:
“The influence of a beautiful, helpful, hopeful character is contagious, and may revolutionize a whole town.”