Shirley A. Meester

Shirley A. Meester

Sheldon, Iowa

            Services for Shirley A. Meester, age 87, of Sheldon who passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Sanford Senior Care in Sheldon.  Her celebration of life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 30, 2023, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon with Pastor Daniel Baker ~ officiating.

            Private family burial will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Sheldon.

            Visitation with family present will be after 10 A.M. until the time of the service on Monday, October 30, 2023, at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon.

            Arrangements are under the care of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

SHIRLEY A. MEESTER

BORN

November 1, 1935

Hartley, Iowa

PASSED AWAY

October 26, 2023

Sheldon, Iowa

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

11:00 A.M. Monday, October 30, 2023

St. Paul Lutheran Church; Sheldon, Iowa

Pastor Daniel Baker ~ Officiating

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

“Amazing Grace”

“In The Garden”

“How Great Thou Art”

Pianist:  Arlyce Oosterhuis

FINAL RESTING PLACE

St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery

Sheldon, Iowa

After today’s service, relatives and friends

are invited to join the family in the

fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements are under the care of the

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa.

Shirley Ann (Schmidt) Meester was born in Hartley, Iowa on November 1, 1935, to Herman Henry and Hertha Emily (Krebs) Schmidt.  She attended country school through eighth grade and graduated from the class of 1954 Hartley High School.  She was a graduate of the National Business Training School in Sioux City.

Shirley married Earl Quinten Meester, her husband of 66 years on November 25, 1956, in Hartley, Iowa.  They raised a daughter, Deanna and son, Douglas.  The family lived in Hartley, Mason City, Sibley, rural Ashton, and rural Sheldon.  Shirley worked at Aalf’s Manufacturing for several years as a seamstress.  She finished her employment career after many years of service as a law enforcement and emergency services dispatcher for the City of Sheldon.

Shirley loved gardening and enjoyed the process of preserving the bounties of her efforts.  There wasn’t a meal served or holiday celebrated that didn’t include some of Mom’s homegrown homemade specialties.  She loved to bake, and no visitor ever left her home hungry!  Shirley was also a talented seamstress.  She learned to sew at a young age, out of necessity when times were tough, and grew to love it as a hobby.  She made bridesmaid dresses for her sister’s wedding and sewed clothing for herself, her daughter, and later her grandchildren too.  She created handiworks that will be cherished by her family.  She was a member of the Sheldon Garden Club, the Red Hat Society, and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Earl, her parents, sisters, Kay Holst and infant Beverly Schmidt, and brother and sisters-in-law, Harold and Helen Meester, and Rose Meester.

She is survived by her daughter, Deanna (Craig) Akeson, son, Douglas (Pat) Meester, as well as grandchildren, Cole (Maria) and Melissa Akeson, Dustin (Katie) Meester, Tyler (Paige) Meester, and Amanda (Scott) Glaser and 12 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by siblings, Betty White Pahl, and Bonnie Newman.  Many nieces, nephews, and friends are also left to cherish her memory.