Shirley Mae Ronhaar died at her home in Oak Harbor May 15, 2005 at the age of 70. She was the daughter of Karl C. “Buster” and Esther Arlesa (Elliott) Krieg. Shirley was born Dec. 8, 1934, in Port Townsend. As a very young girl she moved with her parents to Forks and then to Oak Harbor.

Shirley was a member of the girls drill team in high school and was elected Homecoming Queen in her senior year. She graduated from Oak Harbor High School with the Class of 1952. She was married to Robert L. Ronhaar May 23, 1952, the same week she graduated.

Bob was in the Navy and Shirley traveled with him to California. Following his enlistment, the Ronhaars returned to Oak Harbor. Between 1954 and 1963, they lived in Mount Vernon, Bellingham and Laurel. Shirley and Bob moved back to Oak Harbor to open Soundview Shopper. December 8, 1964, the store opened.

Soundview Shopper was built with the residence in the back. Wayne and Arlesa were raised at Soundview and worked at the store as they grew up. For many, many years the store was operated by Shirley and Bob six days a week, up to 17 hours per day, with no days off. The store provided groceries, gasoline, fishing supplies and wonderful conversation to anyone stopping by. It endured storms, power failure, tourists and road construction and detours. It became a hub for the Deception Pass area. Shirley also worked for many years supporting the Cornet Bay Volunteer Fire Department.

Bob died in 1993 and Shirley continued operation of the store. In recent years, Shirley passed off some of the daily operations to daughter, Arlesa and began to travel. She made trips to Greece, England, Ireland, Mexico, Disneyland, Nashville, riding a mule down the Grand Canyon and visiting her favorite Hawaiian Island, Maui. A very special time for Shirley was an annual trip with Arlesa and her granddaughters each year to Leavenworth for a week long vacation. Shirley lived life to the fullest and enjoyed every minute she had. She made friends wherever she went.

Shirley is survived by two children, Wayne Ronhaar and wife Susan Elizabeth Smith of Toronto, Canada, and Arlesa Ronhaar of Oak Harbor and one brother Karl C. Krieg III and wife Darlene, also of Oak Harbor. Four grandchildren, Samantha K. and Amy Arlesa Nielsen of Oak Harbor and Robert Tyler and Katherine Nicole Ronhaar of Toronto. Her parents, her husband Robert and one brother Richard Krieg, preceded her in death.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday, May 18, at Burley Funeral Chapel from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Graveside funeral services will be Thursday, May 19, at 1 p.m., at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorial services will follow at the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor at 2 p.m., with Pastor Jon Brown officiating. A reception for family and friends will follow in Wezeman Hall. Memorials may be made to Island County Fire District No. 2 or your favorite charity.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, Washington.