Shirley (Thompson) Alsteen, 72, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, their spouses and significant others, comforted by her favorite music. She was a resilient fighter who battled cancer and other health problems with her positivity and cheerfulness for many years. Even as God called her home, she fought long enough for one final day with many of the family she cherished. 

Shirley was born in Portage, Wisconsin on April 24th, 1952 to parents Joris and Clarion (Gagner) Thompson. She graduated in 1971 from Pulaski High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A few years later she wed and was blessed with her first two children Steven and Alissa. She later married the love of her life, Benjamin Alsteen on October 5th, 1985 then was blessed with Tamara to complete their family. She worked many different jobs to provide for them including serving, bartending, leather crafting, and production jobs where she made everything from pizza crusts to gloves for NFL players. She was a long time member of the Eagle’s Club 401 Auxiliary and served as President for several years. She loved to give back by serving others and helped organize local events such as the annual kid’s Christmas party held at the club. 


Christmas was her favorite time of the year. Kicking off the season with a big family Thanksgiving meal. Decorating her house with her Christmas village, nativity scene, lights and garland everywhere while the sounds of her favorite holiday songs and shows filled the air. Although she was all about getting a real Christmas tree every year, eventually she switched to an artificial tree when she realized she could display it year round - and decorate for other holidays too! Her favorite holiday decoration was her Bradford celestial tree topper, which shimmered liked a disco ball and projected a colorful light show throughout the house. Even though some years were rough and money was tight, she always found a way to make Christmas merry and bright for her family.

She loved crafting, including sewing, cross-stitch, plastic canvas weaving, ceramic painting, and leather crafting. Her favorite was crocheting. She would crochet gifts for each of her children and grandchildren every Christmas, and made special blankets for just about everyone in her family, often giving them as wedding or graduation presents. She even kept a notebook of everyone’s favorite colors. She would make fun little projects for people she encountered every day, whether it was bank tellers, servers, or nurses. She made sure to have hooks and yarn with her, even in the hospital, just in case she had the strength to whip up a little more joy for someone. She loved to spread a little joy to others wherever she could with her positivity and cheerfulness (and a little bit of grandma goofiness!)


What excited her more than anything was watching her 9 grandchildren grow. She would beam for days following each dance recital, musical, sporting event, graduation or wedding that she could attend. Her joy and resilience is a lasting gift she wove into each one of them.

Shirley is survived by her children Steven (Kelly), Alissa (Jason) and Tamara; her sister Susan; brothers-in-law Michael (Joan) and Patrick (Karen); grandchildren Isaac (Alice), Aaron (Evelyn), Emma, Logan, Makala, Elin, Kaleb, Isaiah, and Devin; special friends Nathan, Curtis, Alex, Emma, Christa, Cindy and Peggy, and many nieces, nephews and in-laws. She would certainly want us to note all her grand fur-babies too, especially Oreo.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Benjamin; parents Joris and Clarion; sisters Sherryl and Sharron and brother Terry; Father-in-law Clifford and Mother-in-law Bernice; brothers-in-law Steven, Robert, Donald, and Leonard II; niece Christa and nephew Leonard III.

The family would like to extend an extra special thank you to the staff and residents at Bay Shore Village that made it a place she called home. We also deeply appreciate the first responders, EMTs, ER and 3rd floor ICU team at Aurora Hospital, especially Brooke.


A Christmas-themed celebration of life will be held from 2-5pm on Saturday, November 29th at Simonet’s Bar - 925 Main Street in Green Bay. Wear your Santa hats and/or ugly Christmas sweaters along with your festive spirit. A time of remembrance and sharing will be at 3:00.  Share love and memories along with a potluck of sweet and savory holiday treats.

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