Shirley R. Layman, 84, of 6310N Bambiland Road, Mercer, died early Saturday morning, Jan. 17, 2009, in her home. The former Shirley Schlueter was born Dec. 24, 1924, in Chicago, daughter of the late Arthur and Ruth (Werner) Schlueter, and graduated from Kalvin Park High School there in 1943. She was employed in the accounts payable department at Duro Metal Products in Chicago for three years, and in office work at Hibbert-Spencer-Bartlett Trust Co.of Chicago for several years. She was married to Otto Layman on Dec. 31, 1945, at St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chicago, by the Rev. A. J. Hoyer. Otto preceded her in death on March 14, 2003. Shirley and her family moved to Mercer from Elk Grove Village, Ill. in 1970, where they owned and operated Bambiland Deer and Wildlife Park from 1971 to 1979. She worked at Copps Food Center in Hurley as a pizza demonstration lady for 17 years, and at the Mercer Chamber of Commerce Information Center for five years. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Mercer, where she was active in church activities for many years, and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She loved playing cards and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and enjoyed traveling, fishing and watching wildlife out of her living room window. Surviving are a son, Howard (Karen), Fennimore; two daughters, Cheryl (Patrick) Flesch, Redmond, Ore., and Debra Layman-Weiler, Mercer; four grandchildren, Michelle Flesch and Nicole (Ryan) Jordan, both of Redmond; Kari (Joel) Peterson, New Berlin; and Rebecka Mendez, Mercer; three great-grandchildren, Desiree and Dakota Jordan, and Grayden Mendez; her special friend and caregiver, Carol Saily, Mercer; and her special pets, her Dachshunds, "Buddy" and "Sunny". Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church in Mercer, with the Rev. Dr. Gary Uttech officiating. Committal services will take place at the church, with luncheon to follow in the church fellowship hall. Spring burial will be in the Mercer Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday. To view Shirley's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc., Ironwood.