Shirley Ann Milbrett

SHIRLEY ANN MILBRETT, age 89, of Janesville passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026 at Whispering Creek in Janesville.

Born on May 2, 1936, in Madelia, Minnesota, Shirley was the daughter of Walter and Erna (Kietzer) Mrotz. She graduated from Janesville High School with the class of 1954. On June 7, 1955, she was united in marriage to Harold Lee Milbrett at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. Together they built a life rooted in love, family, and hard work. They first made their home in Lewisville before moving in 1962 to their farm in rural Waseca. In the early 1990s, following Harold’s retirement, they moved into Janesville.

Shirley devoted her life to caring for her family and home. A quiet and gentle person, she found her greatest joy in spending time with her family, friends, and especially her grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. She also enjoyed tending her yard and garden, and she was especially talented in cooking, baking, canning, and sewing. In her free time, she enjoyed playing solitaire and bridge, bowling, dancing to polka music, and expressing her creativity through oil painting. Shirley was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she enjoyed quilting and participating in Ladies Aid. She also cherished the time she spent hunting and fishing with Harold.

She is survived by her children, Steven (Linda) Milbrett of Bricelyn, Mark (Patricia) Milbrett of Waseca, Shawn (Jay) Woychick of Penfield, NY, Keevin (Cindy) Milbrett of Alborn, and Michele Milbrett of Duluth; sister, Joyce Thomas of Pensacola, FL; nineteen grandchildren, thirty-five great grandchildren, four great great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Milbrett; son, Gerald Milbrett; grandson, Matthew Milbrett; parents, Walter and Erna Mrotz; siblings, Donald Mrotz and Doris Herrig; and daughters-in-law, Angelika Milbrett and Traci Neid-Milbrett.

Funeral service for Shirley will be at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at St. John Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Iosco Township, Waseca County.