Shirley Jean Guza, age 89, of rural Taylor, died on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in the Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse.

Shirley was born on April 21, 1935 in Whitehall to Robert and Amy (Tangen) Kastad.  She married Edward Joseph Guza on April 27, 1957 in Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Independence. They were fortunate to celebrate 62 years of marriage together. She and Ed first farmed near Pigeon Falls and then purchased a farm in Trump Coulee in rural Taylor. Together they farmed and raised their family until Edward preceded Shirley in death on May 20, 2019. Shirley continued to live on the farm after Ed passed.

Shirley worked as a CNA for a time, but dedicated herself to helping on the farm and keeping things running smoothly.  She enjoyed attending AMPI conventions with Ed, traveling to various parts of the country. She raised four children and helped to take care of her grandchildren. She always had a freezer with goodies, homemade cookies, lemonade and lunch ready for anyone on the farm.  Shirley loved spending time with her family and looked forward to seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Shirley loved the holiday's and her house was decorated for all of them, but especially Christmas, she would get a new ornament with the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren's names on them.  She loved to have candles out and changed them for every season.  Shirley had a love of roses and hydrangeas, and had many of them growing in flower beds, cutting them in the summer, so she could enjoy them in the house.

Shirley is survived by her four children, Jeffrey (Laurie) Guza of rural Taylor, Jaime Guza of Melrose, Laurie (Terry) Byrns of Black River Falls and Jody (Jennifer) Guza of Blair; six grandchildren, Jeremy (Kristin) Guza, Lucas (Rose) Byrns, Melissa (Jesse) Lutz, Jordan Guza, Brian (Joanna) Guza and Janessa Guza; eight great-grandchildren, Logan, Theodore and Penelope Guza, Joel and Kayleigh Lutz and Mary, Bruce and Eva Guza.  She is also survived by a brother, Charles (Connie) Kastad of Pigeon Falls; a sister, Lois (Bill) Pelowski of Fountain City and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Kastad and sister-in-law Pat Kastad.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in the Schroeder Memorial Shelter in the Blair Park in Blair.  Mr. Scott Brown will officiate.  A luncheon and a time of fellowship will follow the service.

Friends may call from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service.