Shirley Ann (Johnson) Sim (1939-2016)

SIM, JOHNSON, SMITH, KOCH, WIESE, RAMSEY, QUADE, WHIPPLE, MITTLESTED, SELCH, MEYER

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 10/31/2016 at 16:12:02

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Shirley Ann Sim was born in Ames, Iowa on June 19, 1939, to Elwin (a.k.a. Al) and Lois Susie (Smith), Johnson, who were both from Sioux City, Iowa. At the age of 10, she moved with her family to the Chicago suburbs. She attended St. Joseph Grade School and the Mallinckrodt Catholic High School, an all-girl school. In 1958, Shirley married William Koch, the father of her four children. This union ended in divorce.

On May 20, 1971, Shirley married the love of her life, Walter (a.k.a. Wally) Sim. In 1977, they moved from Arlington Heights, Ill. to an acreage northeast of Roland. They always had a variety of animals including sheep, chickens, rabbits, cats, some pigs, Deno the Goat, and their two beloved and award winning dogs, Bo and Babe. For several years she worked at home and for the Donnelley Corporation in Nevada, drawing property tracts on U.S. and city maps. She also worked at Leeds Grocery in Roland, the laundry department at the Story City Memorial Hospital, and for many years in food services at Bethany Manor in Story City, until she retired. Wally died in 1990, and in 1993, Shirley moved to a house in Roland. She resided there until she moved in with her daughter, Pam Quade.

Shirley’s passions included being an avid fan of professional football, several day time and night time TV soap operas, and her long time involvement with the 4-H program. She was a co-leader of the Howard Rockets 4-H group in Roland for about 20 years, and also a Story County Fair Superintendent for the Science and Arts Department and the Dog Program. For many years, she used her station wagon several weeks each summer to transport 4-H members and their dogs to dog obedience classes at ISU. For around 30 years of the Story County Fair, Shirley could be found at the same location in the bleachers of the 4-H show pavilion watching and encouraging kids during livestock presentations and contests. She knew most of the 4-H kids, leaders, County Extension staff and County Fair board members by name, and many on a personal basis. In 1989, she was presented with the prestigious “Honorary Story County 4-H Member” award, given to only two volunteers per year. Among several 4-H volunteer service awards, she also received her 30-year 4-H Involvement pin. She continued her enthusiasm for 4-H by continuing to assist with the evaluation of member record books and sponsoring trophies and awards for several animal classes.

Shirley had been a member of St. Petri Lutheran Church in Story City since 1983. This past year, she had been actively involved in a “Read the Bible in One Year” program. As well as the daily reading, she did much additional Bible research using maps, Bible dictionaries, and several other resources. Due to kidney failure which resulted in dialysis treatments several times per week, she was unable to personally attend the weekly Bible Study classes. However, she did say, “This Bible reading program and study has greatly increased my knowledge of the Bible and Bible history and has definitely strengthened my faith.”

Shirley passed away October 11, 2016 at 77 years of age at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames after a battle with cancer.

Shirley is survived by her four children, Deborah (Russ) Wiese of rural Roland, Cynthia Ramsey of Story City, Pamela Quade of Roland and Michael (Jennifer) Koch of rural Story City; nine grandchildren, Ken (Crystal) Wiese, Bob Wiese, Sean (Kellina) Ramsey, Tara Quade, Tyler Quade, Sarah Whipple, Bret Koch, Karly Koch and Jack Koch; eleven great-grandchildren, Madison Mittlested, Brooklyn Wiese, Cooper Wiese, Aden Ramsey, Lily Ann Ramsey, James Ramsey, Jaxon Ramsey, Teigan Quade, Elijah Quade, Zander Quade and Charlotte Whipple; two sisters, Sharon Selch of Roland and Marilyn (a.k.a. Marti) (Thomas) Meyer of St. Charles, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wally; and her granddaughter, Stephanie Ramsey.

Service
Saturday Oct 15
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
St. Petri Lutheran Church
804 Grand Ave.
Story City, Iowa 50248

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

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