Shirley Perkins

Shirley Louise Perkins, 87, of Red Wing, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Mayo Hospital in Red Wing with family by her side. She was born on May 15, 1938, in Lake City, MN to Claus and Louise (Tombarge) Heins. She grew up on the family farm near Frontenac where she attended the Frontenac Country School and she graduated from Lake City High School in 1956. Shirley married Eugene Hines in 1957 and they had two sons, Shelley and Randy. They were married for 24 years before divorcing, and several years later she wed Robert “Bob” Perkins. Shirley and Bob had a short, but fulfilling marriage and shared their enthusiasm for the American Legion which took them on numerous travels and adventures. Unfortunately, Bob passed all too early after they spent seven years together.

Shirley wore “Little Miss Red Wing” saddle shoes as a child, but little did she know she would spend 45 years of her career at Red Wing Shoe Company. She started at “The Shoe” in 1956 as a secretary, hired sight unseen because she knew how to do shorthand. She thought she’d only be there for a couple years, but she stayed on and rose to office manager and assistant corporate secretary before retiring from this first career in 2001. She flunked retirement right away and started working part time for the Red Wing Senior Center (Pier 55) where she spent 24 years doing administrative work before becoming a “volunteer”, continuing many of her former duties. Perhaps fittingly, she was covering the desk at the Senior Center during her last hours. She didn’t need to work, but her parents had instilled a strong work ethic in her and having a schedule gave her purpose, got her out of her condo, and kept her active.

In addition to her extended careers, Shirley spent many years volunteering and serving on numerous boards and committees. She was very active with the American Legion Auxiliary, serving 58 years as either Treasurer, Membership Chairperson, or Secretary. She received the Credit Union Builder Award for 50 years of service to the Board of Directors of the Red Wing Credit Union. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, had been a member of Kiwanis, and was Treasurer of her Condo Association for many years. As a lifelong lover and supporter of Red Wing, she also served on the Queen’s Bee riverboat welcoming committee.

When she wasn’t working or volunteering, she cherished the time spent with her family and adored her four grandchildren. She was very social and had many close friends. She was an avid reader, traveled, played Bingo, and loved movies.

Shirley is survived by her two sons, Shelley (Patricia) Hines of Prior Lake and Randy (Mary Pat) Hines of Roseville; four grandchildren, Rachel, Tommy, John and Paul Hines, along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bob in 1995; one sister, Dorothy Bonde; and three brothers, Donald, Dallas, and Bob Heins.

Shirley was a warm, welcoming and humble person. She was small in stature, but big in heart. When she walked into a restaurant or store in Red Wing, someone always knew her and stopped to say hello. She was left-handed and had a little plaque at home that said, “God made a few perfect people; the rest are right-handed.” Her family believes God just received a perfect one back.

A celebration of life for Shirley will be held on Wednesday, July 22 from 3-7 p.m. at the Leo C. Peterson American Legion Post #54 in Red Wing. A family burial will be held at the Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials in her name are preferred to Pier 55 Red Wing Area Seniors at 240 Harrison Street #2, Red Wing, MN 55066, or the Red Wing American Legion at 218 W 4th St., Red Wing, MN 55066.

Arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.