Shirley Sunner

A funeral service for Shirley Sunner, 89 of Milford was held Friday, June 25, 2021 at First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji, Iowa. Shirley passed away at her home on Monday, June 21, 2021.

Shirley Ann “Peache” Derscheid, born to Glen and Edith (Norem) Derscheid, was born on November 3, 1931, on the family farm in Wright County, Iowa. She walked to school at Troy Township #4 and graduated high school from Eagle Grove in 1949. After high school, she attended UNI in Cedar Falls. 

On August 2, 1952, she married her high school sweetheart, Gerald Sunner and they lived in West Branch, Marion, and Fort Dodge. They had a group of bridge-playing friends in Fort Dodge and Shirley joined PEO and had so many great new friends.

Eventually they made the move to Lake Okoboji. Once at the lake, they met another group of fun friends at Heather Ridge. They loved life on the lake as they had been vacationing there for many years. 

In her free time, Shirley enjoyed tending to her flowers in the summertime, playing bridge, attending the summer theater, and eating dear Bob’s sweet corn. She loved traveling with her husband and with her sisters and dear friend, Marilyn. Shirley traveled to California, Arizona, and New York with dear, Marj. She and Gig loved visiting the Florida Keys and Las Vegas with Don and Mona. She loved socializing with her sisters and brothers, visiting Eagle Grove, Ankeny, and Arizona as often as she could. Gig worked at clinics in California in the 80’s and Shirley joined him out there while flying back for summers at the lake. She and Gig loved California and their fresh and exciting time there with many Iowa visitors. 

Shirley loved being a mom, she will forever be remembered as a loving, inquisitive, and affectionate mom, sister, aunt, and friend. 

Shirley’s sweet spirit rose to Heaven on June 21st at the age of 89 after almost two years pain free. She never failed in her bright spirit with a smile always for her many attentive caregivers. She loved and appreciated them so. 

Meeting her in Heaven include her husband, Gerald; her parents, Glen and Edith; and siblings. 

Those left to cherish her memory include her children: D.D. Sunner of Wahpeton, Iowa; John (Sherrie Palmer) Sunner of Spirit Lake, Iowa; Brian Sunner of Okoboji, Iowa; loving grandson, Adam and wife, Ashley and their children: Max John and Sadie Jane (whom Shirley delightfully met weeks ago); her beloved sisters: Ramona Knudsen, Bevy (Rod) Knudsen, sister-in-law, Mary Derscheid and Kay Wayman; brother Allen Derscheid; and brother-in-law, Paul Sunner; many beloved nieces, nephews, and their children who were all close to her heart. Also, her two flower girls, Sally Dwiggins Denny and Dianne Ellsworth; and loyal ever-present nephew, Kurt Knudsen; as well as long-time dear friends, Marilyn and Bob Damman who were always there for the Sunner family. 

 Turner Jenness Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. www.turnerfuneralhomes.com