Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
A funeral service in memory of Shirley J. Berberich was held Friday, June 14, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer. Interment was in North Lawn Memorial Park in Spencer. Warner Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.
Shirley Jean Berberich, born on June 25, 1941 in Hartley to Harold and Arley (Santage) Zieman, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Shirley grew up on a farm south of Royal, where she developed a strong work ethic and a love for the rural lifestyle. She graduated from Royal High School in 1959.
After high school Shirley moved to Minneapolis, Minn. with her cousin, LaRae, where they lived for two years. She entered airline attendant training but gave it up for a secretarial position at Honeywell. She returned to Royal in 1961 to marry the love of her life, John Berberich. Together they made their home on the farmstead that John’s father built outside of Royal, creating a life filled with love and hard work.
Shirley and John were blessed with six children: Brent, Bruce, Tracy, Troy, Micah and Tonia.
A dedicated Catholic, Shirley was a pillar of strength and kindness to those around her. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, traveling, sewing and gardening. Shirley was a stay-at-home mother and farm wife who worked very hard assisting with every aspect of the farm. Shirley and John traveled all over the world and saw many great sights. For the past 34 years she and John spent many weeks in Mexico, where they formed lasting friendships and created countless cherished memories.
Shirley’s warmth, generosity and love will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and friends, and in the beautiful memories they shared together.
Left to cherish her memory are husband, John; six children and spouses: Brent (Laura), of Royal; Bruce (Shelley), of Royal; son-in-law, Mike Heller, of West Des Moines; Troy (Sue), of Royal; Micah (Jessica), of Madrid; and Tonia (Christian), of Portland, Ore.; 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, all of whom brought immense joy and pride to her life; one brother, Roger Zieman, of Royal; and one sister, Mary Petersen, of Fremont, Neb.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Donald Zieman; and her daughter, Tracy Heller.
