Shirley Berns

A livestream of the funeral service will be available here (Click to Watch).

Shirley Marie Schick Berns, peacefully entered God’s kingdom on September 19, 2024 on their 70th wedding anniversary at the age of 90.

Shirley was born on the Schick family farm southwest of Bayard, Iowa on May 2, 1934 to Henry W. Schick and Iva M. Honold Schick. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith on June 3, 1934 at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Coon Rapids, Iowa, and confirmed in that faith on March 21, 1948. She attended rural school near her home through the seventh grade and graduated from Bayard High School with the class of 1952. She furthered her education at AIB in Des Moines, Iowa with a secretarial associate degree.

Shirley and Marvin Berns were united in marriage on September 19, 1954 at Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Coon rapids. The two were married for 68 years until Marvins passing in 2022. They were blessed with three children, Donald, Renae, and Jana. They lived on a farm southwest of Lohrville for 54 years and upon retirement in 2009 they moved to Urbandale, Iowa to be closer to family.

Their Lutheran religion and their church were especially meaningful to their family. Shirley taught Sunday School for many years and also served on Various committees in their church. She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, and doing outdoor work. Shirley and Marvin were thankful they could raise their children on the farm where the grandchildren were always welcome visitors. They also spent several winter months in Arizona and enjoyed the warm weather with family and friends.

Shirley’s legacy will continue in the hearts of her children, Donald (Pam) Berns, Renae (Brett) Johnson, and Jana (Charles) Robertson; grandchildren, Chelsea (Steven) Binz, Kyle (Kari) Johnson, Courtney (Justin) Malicoat, Jack Robertson, and Christina Robertson; great grandson, Oliver Binz; sister, Elaine Schick Anderson; brothers, Marvin (Carolyn) Schick, and Loren (Jane) Schick; sister-in-law, Carolyn Schick; brother-in-law, Raymond Diekman; along with many other relatives and friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Marvin; her parents, Henry and Iva Schick; brother, Donald Schick; brother-in-law, Jerry Anderson and Dale (Bonnie) Berns; sister-in-law, Dorothy Diekman; nephews, Brian Schick, Tommy Berns, Brian Berns, and Bruce Diekman; and father and mother-in-law, Harold and Lillian Berns.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at Faith Lutheran Church in Adel with family greeting friends one hour prior. Burial will take place in the Merle Hay Cemetery in Glidden, IA at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com