Shirley Mae Stursma

Shirley Stursma, 73, of Oskaloosa passed away Sunday morning, August 11, 2013, at the MHP Hospice Services Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Shirley Mae Stursma, daughter of Andrew and Henrietta (Menninga) Bogaards, was born December 21, 1939, at the home of her parents in rural Oskaloosa. She was a graduate of Pleasant Ridge School and a 1957 graduate of Pella Christian High School. Shirley worked as a secretary at Pella Christian High School for the first year after graduation. She married Martin Paul Stursma, May 30, 1958, in Pella. In 1961, she and Paul moved to Killeen Texas after he was drafted into the Army. They returned to the Leighton area in 1963 and moved to Shirley’s parent’s farm near Leighton where they lived for 10 years. In 1973, they purchased their farm south of Leighton where she remained until the time of her death. Shirley was a true helpmate and partner to Paul in their farming operation: she helped with raising the animals; she raised a huge vegetable and perennial flower garden, and preserved the produce from her garden. In 1997, Shirley went to work for the Mahaska County Conservation Board at Russell Wildlife Center, she later became the administrative assistant. This position was very well suited to Shirley because of her love, wonder and appreciation of God’s creation. She remained with the Conservation Board until 2012. Shirley’s hands were never idle: everyone she loved had a crocheted afghan and from 1972 until present she baked and decorated cakes, including 100s of wedding cakes. Shirley was a member of the Leighton Christian Reformed Church where for numerous years she eagerly served as a Cal-vinette leader, a Sunday school teacher and a Youth Group leader with her husband. Her family includes her children: Kriste (Mike) Van Den Heuvel of Cedar and Tim Stursma of University Park; three grandchildren: Kate (Adam) DeJong of Oskaloosa, Grant Van Den Heuvel of Cedar and his special friend, Lacey Azdell of Mexico, MO and Allison Stursma of University Park; a great-granddaughter, Cobie DeJong; sisters: Pearl Van Waardhuizen and Ruth Van Hal, both of Pella; brothers: Gerald (Mattie) Bogaards of Pella and Lawrence (Harriett) Bogaards of Oskaloosa. In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Paul on February 18, 2009. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday morning, August 14, 2013 at the Leighton Christian Reformed Church in Leighton, Iowa with Pastor Don Ringnalda officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 9:45 a.m. in the lower level of the church prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Tuesday, at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be made to: Oskaloosa Christian School or Mahaska County Conservation Board. Memories and condolences may be made by visiting the online obituary guest book at www.gvlfuneralchapel.com. PDF Printable Version

Shirley Mae Stursma

December 21, 1939 - August 11, 2013