Shirley Huisman

Shirley Huisman, age 92 of Rock Rapids, Iowa died peacefully with family surrounding her on September30, 2024 at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

 A memorial service will take place at 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Bethel Reformed Church, rural Little Rock, Iowa with Reverend Scott Van Ravenswaay, officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

 Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids is in charge of services.

Shirley Ann Huisman was born February 11, 1932 to Thomas and Ida (Anderson) Thomsen in Sibley, Iowa. She was the last of five children. She was baptized at her grandparents’ home on May 19, 1934. She grew up in Sibley and graduated from high School in 1950.

 Shirley was united in marriage to Clifford Gene Huisman at the Bethel Reformed Church, rural Little Rock, IA, on July 20, 1951. She became a member of the church where she was active with the all the church activities all her life. She and Clifford were blessed with four children, Steven Gene, Jacklyn Kay, Janet Ann Marie and Jeri Clare. They lived in Rock Rapids, where they raised their children. Shirley was a wonderful mother and housewife. She demonstrated food items at Bob’s Super Valu, worked part time at Doris Doty’s and then became an assistant teacher for the Head Start program in Rock Rapids. She later got certified and was the teacher for Head Start. She touched the lives of many children and parents. She worked with the Head Start program for over 25 years, and retired to care for her husband, Clifford, who suffered a stroke in 1994. She loved working on crafts with her dear friend, Betty. They made over 50 different delicious Christmas cookies and pastries, and delivered them to all their neighbors, friends and family. Everyone looked forward to receiving them. She was known in the family as being able to get a stain out of anything. She was a wonderful cook and shared her skills with her three daughters. She proudly stated, “Her girls all turned out to be good cooks." She loved her family most of all and spending time with them was her greatest joy. She was lovingly called Bestemor (which means grandma in Danish) by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bestemor and Opa spent lots of time with their grandchildren, always doing fun things with them. Shirley lived in her house for over 70 years. She died peacefully surrounded by family.

 She is survived by her daughters, Jackie Johnson, Janet (Sid) Logan and Jeri Zachow. Her grandchildren, Chris Logan, Tessa (Chad Halverson) Logan, Jon (Jess) Johnson, Danielle (Travis) Kielty and Andrew (Megan) Zachow; five great-grandchildren, Teddy, Alice, and Edith Johnson, Kinnick and Quinn Kielty; five sisters-in-law, Anita (Virgil) Wiertzema, Lorraine (Arnold) Baron, Judy Huisman, Karen Huisman and Sally Thomsen; and many other extended family.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Ida Thomsen; her husband of 54 years, Clifford Huisman; infant son, Steven Gene; grandson, Clifford Logan; great-granddaughter, Lillianna Zachow; two sisters, Elaine (Alton) Severson and Maxine Johnson; and two brothers, Irving (Loretta) Thomsen and Charles Thomsen.

 She will lovingly be missed by all who knew her. Blessed be her memory.