Shirley Gayle Blanke Riherd, daughter of Ronald L. and Wilma Vos Blanke, was born November 22, 1946 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Shirley passed away on May 14, 2008 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa at the age of sixty-one years due to complications of multiple strokes.

Shirley lived most of her life in the Pella area. She attended Pella Christian High School where she graduated with the class of 1964 . At the age of seventeen she survived a bout of serious cancer. Refusing to become bitter, this illness sweetened her nature and compassion for the hurting.

On July 22, 1978 Shirley was united in marriage with William (Jim) Riherd at Cordova Park near Lake Red Rock. To this union one daughter was born: Amy Katherine.

Shirley was a homemaker for the past 25 years, as well as volunteering with Vacation Bible School, Hospice, and Crossroads. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, quilting, being a good cook, mushroom hunting, bicycling, and reading. She was a very giving and caring person, always putting others first.

Those left to cherish her memory are: her husband, William (Jim); her daughter, Amy Katherine and fiancé, Mike Jones; her mother, Wilma Blanke; one brother, Dennis (Sharon) Blanke; three sisters: Connie Dingeman, Betty (Fred) Sels, and Dianne (Harris) Steenhoek; sisters-in-law: Sally Shaw, Jane Ruth (Randy) Utterback,; brother-in-law, Phillip (Barbara) Riherd; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father; brother-in-law, M. Gordon Dingeman; and parents-in-law James and Sibyl Riherd.

Shirley will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and aunt.

FUNERAL SERVICES

10:00 A.M. Saturday, May 17, 2008
First Baptist Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

After Noon, Friday, May 16, 2008
Family present 5:00-7:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

In lieu of flowers,
memorials may be given to:

Pella First Baptist Church Children and Youth Ministries

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