Shirley Bockelman

HAWARDEN, IOWA ~ Shirley A. Bockelman, 88, passed away on Monday, May 29, 2017 at the Northern Hills Assisted Living in Sioux City, Iowa.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017 at the American Lutheran Church in Hawarden with Rev. Erma Wolf officiating. Burial will follow in the Grace Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be after 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present beginning at 5:30 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Shirley A. Bockelman was born February 22, 1929 in Craig, Iowa, the daughter of William and Anna (Westergard) Van Buskirk. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Craig. Shirley grew up on a farm during the Great Depression and went to a one room school, not far from the farm in Plymouth County.

After finishing her education, she worked at Central Café in Hawarden, Iowa where she met her future husband Clarence Bockelman. They married November 24, 1948 at St. Mary’s Rectory in Hawarden.

They farmed together and raised their five children outside of Hawarden. Shirley helped with all the farm chores, drove tractors, worked, and cooked every day. Shirley was known for raising chickens and selling her eggs. Also, Shirley was known for her clean house and made most of her famous food from scratch, no recipes! Carrot cake, brownies, and sour cream raisin bars-a few of her specialties.

In 1983 Clarence and Shirley retired to Hawarden and lived in their new home built by their son Darwin. Clarence passed away August 22, 1990.

Shirley stayed in her home until January of 2015 when she moved to Northern Hills Assisted Living in Sioux City, where she received the best of care.

She was a longtime member of the American Lutheran Church where she was always willing to help with projects and lunches, as a member of the American Lutheran Women. Shirley was a woman of strong faith. She was so proud of her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Her favorite thing was cooking for the family get-togethers, and being with family.

Survivors include her sons, Larry (Kerri) Bockelman of Wisner, Nebraska, James (Pam) Bockelman and Darwin (Dawn) Bockelman all of Hawarden; daughters, Barb (Bill) Maxon and Tina (Mark) Wright all of Sioux City, Iowa; 9 grandchildren, Toni (Aric) Brandt, Keal (Hayle) Bockelman, Jesse (Emily) Bockelman, Derek (Elizabeth) Bockelman, Jaclyn (Shane) Wylie, Nicole Hanson, Daniel Hanson, Kyle Hanson, and Garrett Hanson; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death her parents; husband; 5 brothers, Frank, Jesse, William, Roland, and Lloyd; 3 sisters, Hazel, Helen, and Charlotte; and a grandson. Jonah Bockelman in infancy.

Visitation

5:30 PM ,Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Porter Funeral Home ~ Hawarden
712 10th Street Hawarden, Iowa 51023

Prayer Service

7:00 PM ,Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Porter Funeral Home ~ Hawarden
712 10th Street Hawarden, Iowa 51023

Funeral Service

10:30 AM ,Thursday, June 1, 2017
American Lutheran Church
1417 12th Street Hawarden, Iowa 51023