Shirley Jeanne (Weekes) Kaltenborn

She passed a year, almost to the day, after her beloved husband. We believe that she continued her precedent of “catching-up” to her soul-mate and life partner, Kal - sooner than others expected.

Shirley was born in Iowa City, Iowa on March 10, 1936 to Roy Ward William Weekes and Elizabeth “Betty” Louise (Carter) Weekes. Her father’s engineering career brought the family to Pennsylvania and Kentucky before settling into Wisconsin. In Milwaukee, Roy designed and built two family homes with the help of Shirley and her brother. The entire family enjoyed the outdoors: cabin camping, fishing, and hunting.

She met her husband, James “Kal” Kaltenborn at Carroll College in Waukesha, WI where they were both members of the Concert Choir – he was a senior and she was a freshman. He graduated in 1954 and started his officer’s career in the Navy, and she wasn’t going to be left behind. Committed to completing her degree, she told her academic counselor that she wanted to complete her studies and graduate in three years. They said it couldn’t be done, but she proved them wrong. After completing all her required courses and needing one last credit, she negotiated with her Drama instructor . . . if she would cast, plan and direct the next play, she could earn that last credit. SHE DID IT! Three-days after her graduation, Kal and Shirley were married on June 9, 1956.

She took her position as a military wife seriously. She managed the house, the kids, the car, the pets and later when she was the XO’s wife, she supported all the other officer’s wives while the men were away. Shirley took leadership positions in the PTA at Han’s Christian Anderson Elementary in San Diego and was a Den Mother to Cub Scouts in San Diego and Concord California. While in Japan, she rose to the level of Instructor in Ikebana and taught a “troops own badge” in flower arranging to the Girl Scouts.

In Virginia, when the kids got older, Shirley went back to school at George Mason University to get her teaching credential, and took her talents to the K-12 grade education system in Fairfax County. She spent 8-years teaching different grade levels at Shrevewood Elementary School in Falls Church, but found her “passion” in supporting 5th grade boys and girls at the crossroads of being young adults.

Moving back to San Diego, in 1978, she was unable to locate a permanent teaching position, so she became an “on-call” substitute teacher for San Diego Unified School District. Waiting every morning for a phone call and having to teach anywhere in San Diego County was not a rewarding position. . . so when Kal decided to retire in 1979, she stopped saying “yes” and retired right along with him.

During their over 40-years of retirement, they traveled throughout Mexico, Europe, the Far East, and the Pacific Islands; enjoyed camping trips annually to the Sierras together in their RV; and continued to sing in the Clairemont Lutheran Church choir. At home, Kal had his sports and friends, but she needed something to satisfy her desire to serve, problem-solve and educate - so she immersed herself in her local Republican Women’s Club. Her service and dedication to the women of the Club became her social outlet: holding executive positions all over Southern California and staying politically active for over 40 years.

Throughout her life, she was always ready to lend a hand to help others succeed: as a teacher, mentor and volunteer. Her ability to connect with others and provide guidance in a curated and personal manner was given genuinely and appreciated by many.

Shirley is survived by her brother - Stephen Weekes of Big Bear City, CA; two children - son Mark Kaltenborn of Cabot, VT and daughter Linda Isley of Escondido, CA; and eight grandchildren: Miranda Kaltenborn, M. Alexander Kaltenborn, Jacqueline Kaltenborn, Caroline Kaltenborn, Diana Kaltenborn, William Kaltenborn, Sean Isley and Shannon Isley. She is proceeded in death by her husband, James Kaltenborn, and her son Stephen Ward Kaltenborn.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Clairemont Lutheran Church on March 12, 2022 at 1:00pm. She will be laid to rest, beside her husband and son, at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in June. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to American Red Cross, Feeding San Diego, or the Boys and Girls Club of America (three of her favorite charities).