Shira B. Richardson

After years of prolonged health struggles, Shira Beth Richardson died unexpectedly on August 16, 2026, age 44.

Shira was born on May 28, 1982, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin to Glenn and Virginia Richardson. In Hebrew, Shira means song, and Beth means house. Throughout the years, the Richardson house was filled with song. “A song is a beautiful thing,” and this has been and is true about Shira, both in her life and in her death.

Shira’s early years were spent in the Yellowstone River valley in Sidney, Montana, where she met her first sister and lived until the oil boom busted, and the family moved to Wisconsin.

Shira was homeschooled starting in 1987. Each morning started with the Pledge of Allegiance, a poem, prayer, and read-aloud. Always an older sister Shira embraced the added responsibilities in helping to care for and mentor the growing family in Waukesha. Shira’s childhood was filled with faith and family. Shira loved singing soprano while her Dad played the guitar during family worship.

Shira sought out flute lessons, and eventually joined the homeschool orchestra. At various opportunities she traveled the United States with the American Christian Youth Chorale; traveled to South-east Asia; and later traveled to Europe and the British Isles with the Moody Chorale

Shira always aspired to academic achievement starting at WCTC and graduating with an Associate of Applied Science - Interior Design; and later Moody Bible Institute- Bachelor of Music & Bible. She took full credit loads, worked diligently as a student engineer and graduated debt-free. In hobbies and profession, Shira’s skills overlapped from Architectural Drafting Technician, was mechanical, a talented musician, vocalist, artist, avid huntress and outdoorswoman.

Shira’s compassionate heart helped her spread the Word of God’s promise to all she met whether friend or stranger. Her gorgeous smile helped open hearts and doors for Jesus including at her job at Callen Construction and with her students at Music Café where she was adored. She was a student of the Word. Above all she was a faithful servant of the Lord to the very end. Please pray for family and friends during this difficult time of loss.

Shira is preceded in death by grandparents Francis Richardson, Dorothy Richardson, and Arne Kvaalen; is survived by grandmother Ruth Kvaalen; parents Glenn & Virginia (Kvaalen) Richardson; siblings and spouses Ada (Dan) Yatzeck; Laura aka Toby (Kerrigan) Joseph; Ginnie (Ben) Liebherr; Rachel (Rex) Chen; Arne (Emma) Richardson; and David Richardson; as well as nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The funeral arrangements are as follows: Friday, August 28, Chapel - Elmbrook Church, 777 S Barker Rd., Brookfield, WI. Visitation: 12:30 - 1:30 Service: 1:30 - 2:30 Reception to follow: 2:30 - 4:30 Service livestream: https://control.resi.io/webplayer/video.html?id=3c29c2ed-3920-4be7-9bec-d355270be71e . 

There will be a letterbox at the visitation if anyone would like to write a letter to Shira or a note to say what she meant to others. Her artwork will be available for purchase, and in lieu of flowers, a gofundme to cover funeral expenses https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-shira-richardsons-family.