Shirley Ann Berkenpas

Shirley Ann Berkenpas, 89, of Rock Valley, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Hegg Memorial Hospital in Rock Valley. Visitation with the family present will be held Monday, October 5, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley. A prayer service will be held Tuesday, October 6, at 10:00 AM at Pioneer United Methodist Church of Rock Valley with burial to follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. The memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM at Pioneer United Methodist Church with Rev. Ron Johnson officiating.

   In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Justice For All in Rock Valley or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

   Shirley Ann Berkenpas was born on August 29, 1937, to Jake and Cora (Ver Burg) Cannegieter on a farm east of Rock Valley, Iowa. She attended Rock Valley Community School and spent her entire life in the community she loved.

   On December 16, 1955, Shirley was united in marriage to Richard "Berky" Berkenpas. Together they built a life in Rock Valley, where Berky owned and operated a furniture store. During their early years of marriage, Shirley devoted herself to raising their family as a homemaker.

   In 1975, Shirley began working as a teacher's aide for Rock Valley Community Schools, where she served for many years. Generations of students fondly remember Shirley as the playground supervisor, keeping everyone in line while wearing her familiar long blue coat.

   Throughout her life, Shirley overcame many challenges and hardships. She endured the loss of her husband to cancer when she was only 46 years old, mourned the loss of a beloved granddaughter, faced the possibility of losing her eyesight, and survived a brain aneurysm against overwhelming odds. Through every adversity, Shirley displayed remarkable strength, grace, determination, and humor. It became a family joke that Shirley had more than nine lives.

   Above all else, Shirley found her greatest joy in caring for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was always ready to babysit, paint, clean, cook, or lend a helping hand to those she loved. Her door was always open to family and friends, and she cherished visits over a cup of coffee or a cold beer. She also valued the special bond she shared with her siblings through their long-standing Friday afternoon coffee gatherings, which eventually continued at Whispering Heights.

   Shirley was a talented seamstress and could often be found at her sewing machine creating quilts for family and friends. She especially enjoyed making quilts to help raise funds for Justice For All, a ministry to which she and her siblings devoted countless hours of service.

   A member of Pioneer United Methodist Church in Rock Valley, Shirley's strong faith was an important part of her life. When she was unable to attend in person, she could often be found watching local church services from home.

   Left to cherish her memory are her children, Kevin (Julie) Berkenpas, Cindy (David) Osborne, Rick (Tami) Berkenpas, and Kerri (Jeremy) Hoogendoorn; grandchildren, RJ Berkenpas, Hunter (Stephanie) Berkenpas, JD Osborne, Berke Osborne, Cheyenne (Jacob) Meendering, Sheridan Berkenpas, Shelby Berkenpas, Dakota Vlotho, Makenzie Vlotho, and Karson Hoogendoorn; great-grandchildren, Blake Meendering, CJ Meendering, and August Berkenpas; sisters, Lois (Gerrit) Vande Stouwe, Joan Caswell, and Karen Clark (Judy); brothers-in-law, Alden Berkenpas, Carl Berkenpas, and Merlin (Peg) Berkenpas; and sister-in-law, Leone Eidsmoe.

   Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard "Berky" Berkenpas; parents, Jake and Cora Cannegieter; parents-in-law, Richard and Jenny Berkenpas; granddaughter, Shayleigh Berkenpas; brothers, Don Cannegieter, John Cannegieter, and Arland Cannegieter; brother-in-law, Wally Caswell and Bob Eidsmoe; sisters-in-law, Jeanine Berkenpas, Barb Berkenpas, Joyce Berkenpas and Rena Cannegieter; and nephew, Chad Berkenpas.

   Shirley will be remembered for her unwavering strength, generous heart, enduring faith, and deep love for family. Her kindness, resilience, and sense of humor touched countless lives and leave a legacy that will live on in all who knew and loved her.