WATERTOWN, WISCONSIN
A woman who was best described as “Larger than Life,” Denise Jane Shields, age 67, of Watertown, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, at Agrace HospiceCare.
Daughter of Robert Chester and Martha Jane (Mohr) Shields, she was born on March 9, 1952, in New Palestine, Indiana. Denise graduated from New Palestine High School in New Palestine, Indiana.
She was a hard-working, dedicated employee who often said how much “she loved them good ol’ Farm and Fleet days” after working customer service there for over 20 years.
Her loud laughter, southern accent and jingling hoop earrings could be heard in Shopko and Dollar Tree later on, when she greeted her many favorite customers by name. Denise was known as “Work Mom” to many of her coworkers over the years.
Denise was proud to be the great-niece of Branch McCracken, and her IU basketball team was her passion. She would paint her gorgeous long nails blue to support her Indianapolis Colts. As an award winning, longtime leader and member of the 4-H Club, she loved going back home to the Hancock County Fair to support her nieces and nephews and their children.
She kept EVERY single newspaper clipping that mentioned anything about her beloved family. Denise loved making her sweet iced tea, check wagon races, wearing red boots and talking the arm off of everyone she met.
Denise is survived by her children, Amanda Michele Groves (Andrew Butzine) and Clinton David (Amy) Groves; three grandsons, Benjamin Robert, Nikolas David and Nathan Jeffrey Checots; granddaughter, Novana Jane DeBord; step-grandchildren, Alana and Gavin Bruske; brother, Dan (Brigid) Shields; and sisters, Donna (Tim) Cain and Darlene (Chris) Seifert.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A celebration of Denise’s life will be held at LYONS IRISH PUB, 201 E. Main St., Watertown, at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019.
Memorials made to the CJD Foundation would be greatly appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
“GO BIG RED”
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
