Shirley Jane Deruyter

Shirley DeRuyter, age 93, of Sioux Center passed away Monday, June 20 at Crown Pointe Care Center in Sioux Center, Iowa.

A Celebration of Life visitation will be held from 5-6PM at Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center on August 24th, which is Dan and Shirley's anniversary. 

The DeRuyter family prefer memorial gifts may be made to Sioux Center Heritage Village-Hardware Store, Wreaths Across America or Sioux Center Legion Auxiliary.

Shirley Jane DeRuyter was born February 19, 1929, to George G. and Arabella (Ruisch) VanRoekel. She was raised on a small farm between Alton and Orange City. Shirley graduated from Alton High School in 1947 and from Northwestern Jr. College in Orange City in 1949 with a teaching degree. She also studied Secretarial Science for one year at Drake University.

Shirley married Dan DeRuyter on August 24, 1951. They were married for 65 years. Dan and Shirley settled in Sioux Center where Dan owned and managed the family hardware store, and Shirley owned and operated the Young American Shoppe.

Shirley loved sewing, golfing, and singing. Choir members could always rely on Shirley's soprano voice to hit the high notes.

She will be lovingly remembered by her three girls: Janet (Doug) VanderBerg of Sioux Center; Kim (Joe) Stair of Parker, Colorado; Sue (Chip) Pike of Missouri City, Texas; two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband (Dan), a sister (Audrey Preul), and a brother (Bob VanRoekel).