Shirley Louise Dehning

Shirley Louise Dehning, age 96 of Prescott, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026, in Hudson, Wisconsin. Shirley was born on September 21, 1930, in Fairchild, Wisconsin, the daughter of Elmer and Elda (Gau) Blom. She was raised in Eau Claire and attended school there. She was united in marriage to Harold "Lloyd" Bradford, and to this union four children were born: Kathy, Jon, Robert, and Mark. As a young woman, Shirley worked for Truax School in Eau Claire as a school cook. She delighted in the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and enjoyed sharing them with the children. The family later moved to Menomonie where they raised their children. They moved once more to Prescott where the children finished their education. This marriage would eventually dissolve.

In 1975, Shirley married Myron Dehning, and they made their home in Prescott. Many will remember Shirley for her 27 years of dedicated service to the City of Prescott as the Police Department's dispatcher and clerk. From 1977 to 1989, Shirley served as municipal clerk of court for the City of Prescott as well. Law enforcement was woven deeply into her life, as both of her husbands served the Prescott Police Department as Chief of Police.

After marriage to Myron, Shirley became a devout Catholic, and her faith was central to her life. She found her greatest comfort at home and preferred the quiet of familiar surroundings. A good romance novel or a crossword puzzle suited her just fine. She loved flowers and kept a small garden. Rarely far from her side was her trusted companion dog, Ginger.

Shirley looked forward to Prescott Daze, church luncheons, and cooking the vegetables Myron proudly harvested from his garden. They were instrumental in feeding the police and volunteers in their home during Prescott Daze. In her later years, as her health declined and she lost her eyesight, Shirley faced those challenges with the same strong will that defined her life. Though she could no longer see you, she was never shy about sharing her thoughts with you.

Survived by her children Kathy (John) Tibbett of Hudson, WI, Robert (Jayne) Bradford of Hammond, WI; grandchildren Darren (Jenn) Karnes, Daniel (Haley) Milota; Dain (Emily) Bradford, Rachael (James) Hartinger, Thomas (Melanie) Dodge, Philip Buckles, Kim Bradford; great grandchildren Brooklynn, Hunter, Jayden, Nathan, Kaitlyn, Ethan, Aubrey, Andrew, Elijah, Finley and Kent; and her sister Beverly Eberhardt. She is also survived by stepchildren, Scott Dehning of Williamston, MI, Barb Denn (Ken) of Grantsburg, WI, and Bonnie Hamman of Hastings, MN.

Shirley is preceded in death by her sister Gail Champion, sons Mark Bradford and Jon Bradford; grandchildren Nathan Bradford, Eric Dodge, Roberta 'Bobbi' Bradford, Courtney Bradford and great granddaughter Jasmine, and stepsons Bill and Larry Hamman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00am on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church: 269 S. Dakota St., Prescott, WI 54021 A visitation will take place at the church, one hour prior to Mass. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Prescott.

A special thank you to the care and compassion to Adoray Hospice and the loving staff of Red Cedar Canyon Assisted Living.

Arrangements are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of River Falls. For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-425-5644.