Shirley Crooks

Shirley M. Crooks age 79 of Ionia, IA, died Friday, February 1, 2019, at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 4, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hampton with Rev. Kevin Frey presiding. Interment will be in the New Hampton City Cemetery with Shirley’s grandchildren serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Shirley’s nieces and nephews. Friends may greet the family 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 3, 2019, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home, New Hampton. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Shirley Marie (Hirsch) Crooks was born June 23, 1939, at home near Stapleton, IA, the daughter of Harold and Corrine (Deetz) Hirsch. She attended school in Plainfield, IA and was a 1958 graduate from the Plainfield High School. After high school, she worked at Lutheran Mutual Insurance for a brief time. Shirley met the love of her life, Carl Crooks, while dancing at the Riviera Ballroom in Janesville. On April 22, 1960, at the Stapleton Lutheran Church they began their married life. To this union four children were born, Richard, Shelley, Debra and Michael. Following their marriage, Carl joined the United States Army and the family moved many times, including Kansas and Georgia, before making their home in Waverly. While in Waverly, Shirley stayed home to care and nurture her children. In 1973, Shirley and Carl took over the Crooks Family Farm, which has been in the family for over 100 years. She was a partner in all ways, helping daily on the farm and enjoying every minute of it. The couple farmed together for over 40 years, before retiring in 2013. She worked part time for Stanton Electric until 2012 when she was stricken with Alzheimers Disease. Shirley was always known to be generous, loving and truly a kind soul. She loved genealogy and learning about her family’s history. Some of the many different activities you would often catch her indulging in included; quilting, playing cards, knitting, crocheting, sewing, gardening, canning, collecting rocks, making ice cream with Mike and visiting cemeteries. Shirley always loved animals, especially her dogs and her horse Silver. Her family meant everything to her. She rarely missed her grandchildren’s sporting events or activities. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her. Shirley is survived by her husband of 58 years, Carl Crooks of Ionia, IA; two sons, Richard (Sherry) Crooks of Ionia, IA and Mike (Karen) Crooks of Ionia, IA; two daughters, Shelley (Stephen) Stalder of New Hampton, IA and Debra (John) Mihm of Lawler, IA; 11 grandchildren, Carlie (Dominic) Samec of New Hampton, IA, Ryan Crooks of Ionia, IA, Kayla Crooks of Ionia, IA, Jeremy (Megan) Schaufenbuel of New Hampton, IA, Jamie (Ryan) Steege of Fredericksburg, IA, Kevin Stalder of Ottumwa, IA, Connor (Brandi Miller) Mihm of Boyd, IA, Callie (Isaac Hover) Mihm of Cresco, IA, Rebecca (Colton) Meirick of Elma, IA, Megan (Trevor Fecht) Crooks of Allison, IA and Jessie Rose (Cole Denner) Crooks of Ionia, IA; six great-grandchildren, Madison, Braylee, Braiden and Bristol Schaufenbuel, Erin and Ella Steege; three brothers, Terry Hirsch of Fredericksburg, IA, Kevin Hirsch of Waucoma, IA and Myron (Deb) Hirsch of Mabel, MN; three sisters, Ellanor (Russell) Phillips of Frederika, IA, Marlys (Jeff) Sowers of Milo, IA and Renae (Jim) Farrell of Boyd, IA; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Corrine Hirsch.