Shirley White

Shirley Mae Kemerer White, a former teacher and mentor to students at the University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh, where she taught physical education, nutrition and dance while her husband, Bob White, coached the Titans men’s basketball team, died Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the age of 97.

According to her obituary published by Bradshaw Funeral Home-Stillwater, White had a 55-year teaching career. After teaching math and physical education in Ohio, she moved to the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, where she taught as her husband coached the men’s basketball team. When she wasn’t teaching, the couple hosted students at their home, inviting them for dinner when they couldn’t get home for school breaks.

Groups in her nutrition classes cooked healthy dinners at their home as part of their course work and White supported the basketball team by cooking pre-game dinners for every home game and washing uniforms between games when the team went to the national tournament in Kansas City, the obituary said.

A former student, Margaret Keehn, commented online that White was her dance instructor at UWO. Keehn said White taught them everything from the waltz to the tango as well as the grace of ballroom dance. A residence adviser at the time (1973), Keehn said she talked White into teaching her dorm how to cha cha.

Another former student said Shirley and Coach Bob were “amazing mentors” at UWO. The student and her husband, also a UWO alum, spent time visiting with the Whites in Minnesota years later, playing golf and going out to lunch.

White is survived  by a daughter, Carol Hustad (John); two granddaughters; and a brother; as well as many former students and colleagues.

Her husband, Bob, preceded her in death. The couple had celebrated 70 years of marriage.

A memorial service for Shirley White was held in Stillwater, Minnesota, on March 27.

Anyone wishing to direct a memorial gift, was asked to send it to Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater; or to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Foundation and designate it for the Men’s Basketball Fund. Gifts are accepted online at uwosh.edu/foundation/give-to-uwo/give-online/ or via check made payable to UWO Foundation (designate to men’s basketball) and mailed to 625 Pearl Ave., Oshkosh, WI 54901.