DUDGEON, Shirley Ellis

DUDGEON, JOHNSON, HANSON, KUCHENBECKER, ZEIGLER, BERHOW

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 12/20/2018 at 17:24:12

Obituary ~ Shirley Ellis Dudgeon
March 12, 1918 ~ June 18, 2008

Clear Lake Mirror Reporter
Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Friday, June 20, 2008

Shirley Ellis Dudgeon, 90, of 305 North 13th Street, Clear Lake, died Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were Saturday, June 21, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake, with Pastor Rhoda Preston officiating. Burial was at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

Shirley was born March 21, 1918 in Britt, Iowa, the son of Ellis and Hilma (Johnson) Dudgeon. He attended Britt High School and graduated with the class of 1939. Shirley enlisted with the United States Navy in 1939, served in World War II, and was a Chief Motor Machinist’s Mate and was honorably discharged in 1945. Shirley was one of the last Pearl Harbor survivors. He was on the Battleship Helena with his brother, and had recently attended the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor with his wife, Dorothy. Dorothy Hanson and Shirley were married March 2, 1946 at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Mason City. To this union five children were born.

After he was honorably discharged Shirley became a farmer. His land and his animals, whether it be cows, pigs or chickens were very important to him. Shirley was never materialistic, and his greatest joy came from helping his fellow neighbors and farmers. He was a very patient, caring and loving father and husband, although he was known to be a bit stubborn at times. Shirley enjoyed taking his family fishing, camping and to the Iowa State Fair, in his younger years, and then bowling, golfing and playing pool as he grew older. He also helped with Meals on Wheels, and went to the Senior Citizens Center in Clear Lake every day for lunch. He and Dorothy also loved to spend their winters in Texas in their later years, and they made many good friends. Shirley had three main passions in life, farming, the military and friends and family.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy, of Clear Lake; his sons, Michael (Cathy) Dudgeon, Kansas City, Mo., Patrick Dudgeon, Clear Lake, Peter Dudgeon, Des Moines, Iowa; his grandson, Bo Dudgeon, Arlington, Texas; his granddaughter, Lisa Kuchenbecker, Arkansas; his great-grandchild, Lydia Kuchenbecker, also from Arkansas; his brother, Dale Dudgeon, Boston, Mass.; sister-in-law, Gloria Dudgeon, Britt, Iowa; special aunts, Fannie Zeigler, Mason City, and Elsie Berhow, Kanawha, Iowa and many other relatives and friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Lisa and Linda; and his brothers, Floyd and Wayne.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, IA 50428 (641) 357-2193. ColonialChapels.com

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2018