"So very sad to hear of Shirley's passing. The Larson's always loved it when she came to visit Ron and Janet because we got to see her too! We loved her chocolate brownies and most of all her friendship! We enjoyed visiting with her and all of her precious family. We love you all and your mom was one of a kind and a very special lady. We will miss her but what a joy heaven has received when Shirley arrived. May God comfort you all at this very sad time. Julie and Alex Larson"
In loving memory of
Shirley Ann Rodemeyer
July 14, 1931 - April 13, 2019
Shirley Ann (Struss) Rodemeyer, 87, of Hampton, passed away peacefully with her family by her side April 13, 2019, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Shirley was born on July 14, 1931, in Mankato, Minnesota, to Mary (Biedscheid) and Herman Struss. She graduated from Loyola Catholic High School in Mankato in 1949. After high school, she moved to Mason City, Iowa, to start her job at Standard Oil, lived at the Y.W.C.A. with many of her friends and met her future husband, Art, at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.
On February 12, 1955, Art and Shirley were married in Mason City. Following their marriage, they lived on the family farm south of Hampton. Together they raised their four children, Mike, Karen, Ron and Debbie. She was a beloved wife, mom, mother in-law, grandma, great-grandma, and a loyal friend to many. Shirley was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton where she was a Sunday school teacher for many years.
Shirley's joy was preparing for family gatherings. She was known for all her baking, especially her homemade chocolate brownies. No one ever left the table without a treat. Shirley would also spend weeks each summer canning homegrown vegetables to enjoy and share with others. She enjoyed a good game of Bingo whenever she had the chance and she loved attending all her kids' and grandchildren's events over the years. The grandkids always knew who to ask to play UNO, Yahtzee and other games with them. She was their biggest fan.
Art and Shirley loved camping, taking the customized school bus/camper on many vacations over the years with their family. In their later years, they spent several winters in Harlingen, Texas, which they enjoyed very much. Shirley would always come home with her address book full of new people they had met on their travels. She never met a stranger.
Shirley is survived by her four children and their spouses, Mike (Helen) Rodemeyer of Waxahachie, Texas, Karen (Vern) Wirtjes of Hampton, Ron (Janet) Rodemeyer of Frisco, Texas and Debbie (Mitch) Vanness of Latimer; grandchildren Kim Malorzo, Shelley (Danny) Sims, Jessica Brooks, Tyson (Ashley) Wirtjes, Ben Rodemeyer, Zach Vanness, & Madi Vanness; great-grandchildren Kael Brooks, Allison Sims, Amber Malorzo, Avery Malorzo, Jacob Brooks, Carter Sims, Lawson Wirtjes and Bennett Wirtjes, and several nieces and nephews she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Art Rodemeyer, her parents, and her two sisters, Lois (Kenny) Winkler and Phyllis (LeRoy) Laven.
Tributes
"I knew Shirley as a fun loving person who laughed easily and enjoyed life. My sympathies to her family as she will be greatly missed.
Toni Wilkinson"
"There are just too many memories to share them all, but I know the ones that instantly come to mind are our fantastic/memorable camping trips in the school bus converted camper, Crazy Days, and the wonderful memories of our family Thanksgivings with Aunt Shirley and Uncle Art and all our cousins. I will hold all these memories close to my heart as we all will. Until we meet again aunt Shirley, I love you. Please play a great reunion bingo game with Mom.?"
"Rest in peace dear friend. Until we meet again. Paul & Joyce Hauser "