Obituaries : Shirley Ruth (Schrenk) Hummel

Shirley Ruth (Schrenk) Hummel (88), a devoted wife, mother, grand- and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on March 7, 2024.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) Vinton, with Rev. David Condry officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM, Monday, also at the funeral home. The casket will remain closed at all times. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. For those unable to attend the funeral service, a video of the service will appear on Shirley's obituary page on the funeral home web site on Thursday. www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com

Shirley was born to Eugene and Ida (Berenstein) Schrenk on January 16, 1936, and the fourth child of five. She was raised in Philadelphia and met her husband Kyle at a YMCA dance in New Jersey. Their "love at first sight" resulted in nearly a 70-year marriage. After their wedding, she moved to Iowa with Kyle and they made their home in Vinton.

Shirley supported her husband in all of his endeavors while raising their six children. She was a quiet instructor in devotion to family which was outwardly expressed by the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Her gifts were offered daily in the form of homemade cookies and brownies when we got off the school bus; amazing birthday cakes; a full-time chauffer to swim lessons, sporting events, music activities, and sleepovers; hot bowls of buttered popcorn delivered to the front door of blanket forts; and eventually an always available lap and sweet treat for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she adored. When the last of her kids left the house, she worked at the Iowa Braille and Sightsaving School and continued loving on children as a Housemother. Her devotion was unmatched and it is through her family that her legacy will forever be displayed.

She is survived by her faithful and devoted husband Kyle who put her on a pedestal when he first met her during his Army days and never wavered from honoring her over nearly 70 years of marriage. Also surviving to carry on her legacy of love are her children: Deb (Kevin) Hesson, Alan (Karen) Hummel, Steve (Maria Pia) Hummel, Karol Twilla, and Karen Oberman; 17 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was welcomed warmly into Heaven by her son Daniel Hummel, grandson Nathan Hesson, her parents, brother, and sisters.

We grieve not because she is gone - for we know she dances with Danny, Nathan, and all those she loved that left before us; and we know that someday we will dance with them as well. We grieve simply because we are still here and we loved her so very, very much.

Online condolences: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com