Shirley J. Doffing

Shirley J. Doffing, age 68 of Hastings, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday morning, October 13, 2022, following a 17-year illness. She was a beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.

Shirley Jean was born on March 20, 1954 in Farmington, Minnesota to William Andrew and Mary Catherine (Kurtz) Vought; the third of eight children. As a youth she lived in Lakeville, Burnsville, and Rosemount before moving to Hampton in 1969. She attended Hastings High School.

On July 27, 1974, Shirley married David A. Doffing at St. Mathias Catholic Church in Hampton. To this union sons Cory and Christopher were born, and the young family settled in New Trier. Shirley volunteered at St. Mary’s School in New Trier and later at Regina Hospital & Nursing Home in Hastings, and she worked for Dave’s in-home accounting business for nearly 40 years.

Shirley was incredibly compassionate and had a heart of gold. She adored children and devoted herself to helping women through their pregnancies; being present for classes, labor and births for over twenty friends and relatives. She also cared for a friend’s newborn daughter for a month after the mother became hospitalized.

When her mother-in-law developed Alzheimer's Disease, the two families moved to Hastings and bought a house together so Dave and Shirley could help provide care for her. Over the next 15 years, several others who needed a place to stay were also welcomed into Shirley’s home. Then after her own mother got cancer, Shirley again opened her doors and took care of her mom for the final month of her life. Shirley was always there to visit the sick, be with loved ones when they passed, and support families in their grieving process. When her own illness eventually prevented her from being present, Shirley provided support through phone calls and prayer. Her constant displays of love and compassion will not soon be forgotten by anyone who experienced them.

Shirley was a meticulous housekeeper and a devout Catholic. She enjoyed going for walks, spending time at her sister’s cabin, vacationing in warm destinations, decorating her house, doing yard work, tending to her flowers, playing cards, and cheering for the Minnesota Gophers volleyball team. But above all she was an adoring grandmother and loved being “Nana”.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 48 years, Dave; sons Cory (Heather) of Hastings and Chris (Jasmin) of Vadnais Heights; grandchildren Josh, Abby, Louis and Benji; brothers Mike (Peggy) Vought of Farmington and Warren (Renee) Vought of Vermillion; sisters Barb (Richard) Robinson of Rochester, Linda Vought of Farmington, Sharon Holzmer of Hampton and Karen McGovern (John Knott) of Kenyon; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and Godchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William Sr & Mary Vought; brother William Vought Jr; and brother-in-law Mike McGovern.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am Saturday, October 22 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with visitation 9:00 am - 11:00am at the church. She will be laid to rest in St. Mathias Catholic Cemetery in Hampton next to her in-law parents, Harold & Betty Doffing. Reception to follow the burial at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Hall. Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings is assisting the family.

A special Thank You to all relatives, friends and neighbors who provided support to the Doffing family during her long illness.