Shirley Ann Ver Steegh
Shirley Ann Ver Steegh
Oskaloosa. Shirley Ann Ver Steegh, 79, of rural Oskaloosa, went to her heavenly home after a 7-year battle with cancer. Shirley was born March 6, 1945, in Mahaska County the daughter of Elmer and Anna DeRonde Ryken. She graduated from Pella Christian High School with the class of 1963. On March 12, 1965, she was united in marriage to Richard “Dick” Ver Steegh at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. Following their marriage Shirley dedicated her time to caring for her family, home, and helping on the farm. She fearlessly tackled any task that she was asked to do on the farm. She started out riding with Dick in the semi taking cattle and grain to market, then one day Dick was busy on the farm and Shirley climbed behind the wheel of the truck and headed off to market. After that first trip, she was often asked to drive the truck to town so other projects could get done on the farm. In addition to helping with the farm operation, she was adamant about keeping her yard manicured and weed free. Shirley was an active member of Central Church in Oskaloosa. She volunteered countless hours for church functions. She and Dick served as youth leaders for many years and the trip they took with the church youth to Mescalero, New Mexico definitely was a highlight. She and Dick enjoyed traveling the United States and visited 49 of the fifty states. She always looked forward to family gatherings and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Her family includes her husband Richard “Dick” Ver Steegh of rural Oskaloosa; two children and their spouses, Wayne and Tracey Ver Steegh and Annette and Irvin DeBruin all of Oskaloosa; seven grandchildren, Brent (Paige) Ver Steegh, Brandon (Callie) Ver Steegh, Bradley (Keely) Ver Steegh, Briana (James Leonard) Ver Steegh, Grant DeBruin, Renae (Zach) Parks, and Karla DeBruin; six great-grandchildren; two brothers and their wives, Don and Cheri Ryken of Illinois and John and Delores Ryken of New Sharon; two sisters and their husbands, Mary and Roger Lange of Lowell, Grant Park, Indiana, and Martha and Jerry Uitermarkt of Pella; four sisters-in-law, Marjorie Ver Steegh and Vivian Ver Steegh, Lois (Andrew) VanUtrecht, and Phyllis (Phillip) Van Utrecht.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers in law, Howard Ver Steegh and Robert Ver Steegh.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Central Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jon Nelson officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday, June 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Central Church in Oskaloosa, the family will be at the church from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Central Church Immeasurable Fund.
