Shirley E. Sidie

Shirley (Sagmoen) E. Sidie, age 92, of Westby, WI passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Norseland Nursing Home. She was born on September 21, 1933, to Lester and Alice (Larson) Sagmoen on the Larson farm on South Ridge above Coon Valley, WI. As a toddler, Shirley was surrounded by relatives who spoke Norwegian, so she learned Norwegian before English.

Shirley attended grade school in Westby. While growing up in Westby, Shirley loved to roller skate. She once observed that she had skated on every street and sidewalk in town…more than once. In 1951 Shirley graduated from Westby High School, where she was active in drama and forensics, was Senior Class President, and was chosen as Westby High School’s Representative to Badger Girls State in Madison.

Shirley married Norman Sidie on June 2, 1951, at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. They raised five children on their farm on Highway 27 at the edge of Westby. When their youngest child started school, Shirley went to school, too. She attended Vernon County Teacher’s College for two years, began working for the Westby Schools as a teacher’s aide, continued her education at UW-La Crosse during the summers and in 1973 earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. When someone asked Shirley if there was going to be a party to celebrate her graduation, she answered no, because a son was graduating from college, a daughter was graduating from Westby High School and another daughter was graduating from Westby Junior High School…all at the same time! Shortly after that she began teaching sixth grade in Westby. Shirley was a proud member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, the Wisconsin Education Association and the National Education Association.

Shirley was a lifelong member of Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church and an active member of the Lydia Circle and Ladies’ Aid. She was a dedicated fan of all her children’s and grandchildren’s music and sports activities. She made sure that each of her kids learned how to swim, something she regretted not learning herself. Shirley was an avid reader and life-long learner who instilled in her children an appreciation for getting a good education. She continued her interest in forensics and drama by advising and directing some of her children’s participation in Westby Coon Prairie 4-H programs in forensics and one-act plays. She always held a special interest in state and national issues, never missing a Presidential debate or watching the Washington Week in Review show on PBS with her favorite commentator, Gwen Ifell. She enjoyed bowling with her friends, reading a good mystery, watching her favorite cardinal birds at their feeder and trying out new baking recipes.

After Shirley retired from teaching, she volunteered at Bethel Butikk, played cards with her card club friends and knitted and crocheted numerous prayer shawls. Throughout her life, Shirley never missed her children’s and grandchildren’s birthdays and holidays with cards, gifts and cake. She continued this practice until dementia robbed her of her memory and ability to write and speak.

Shirley is survived by her children: Steven (Tom Larsen) Sidie of Milwaukee, WI and Galesburg, IL; Wayne (Laurie) Sidie of Turlock, CA; Ann (Tom) Gibbons of Coon Valley, WI; Julie Lee of Red Wing, MN; and Kathryn Burigsay of Castro Valley, CA.

She is survived by eight grandchildren: Emily (Tony) Betschart and Leah Sidie both of Modesto, CA; Haley (Dan) Solem of West Des Moines, IA; Brenna (Tristan) Gibbons of Madison, WI; Tanner (Lexi) Gibbons of Westby, WI; Jack (Kathleen) Lee of Bloomington, MN; Alyssa (Derek) Ulvenes of Red Wing, MN; and Gunnar (Vina) Burigsay of Toluca Lake, CA.

Shirley is survived by her three great-grandchildren: Penny Betschart of Modesto, CA; Finn Solem of West Des Moines, IA; and Charlie Ulvenes of Red Wing, MN.She is also survived by her niece Sandy Wyman of Sequim, WA and her nephews David Wyman of Westby, WI; Dale Wyman (Julie) of Fox Lake, WI; Daniel Wyman (Pandora) of Chaseburg, WI; Andrew (Cherice) Wyman of Westby, WI and Scott Wyman (Kim) of Westby, WI.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Norman of 75 years; her parents Lester and Alice Sagmoen; her sister Evonell Wyman and brother-in-law George Wyman; her brother-in-law Verlyn Sidie, her former son-in-law Charles Lee; her son-in-law Michael Burigsay and her niece Cynthia Manske.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Pastor Alyssa Weaver will officiate. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Shirley will be laid to rest at Country Coon Prairie Lutheran Cemetery. After her burial, a meal will be served at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church in Westby.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Westby Area Fine Arts Foundation, Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church or Bethel Butikk.

Shirley’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Norseland Nursing Home and St. Croix Hospice for all of their excellent care and kindness. 

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Shirley's family.

708 S. Main Street

Westby, WI 54667

608-634-2100