Shirley M. Birk, 92, of Shenandoah passed away on Monday evening, October 22, 2007, at the Shenandoah Medical Center. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 26. There will be an open visitation at the funeral home after 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery in Mystic, Iowa.

Shirley was born on December 17, 1914 in Mystic, Iowa to Wade and Mamie (McNamara) Birk. She lived in Mystic and attended the Mystic Schools until 1932 at which time she and her parents moved to Osceola, Iowa. She graduated from Osceola High School in 1933. In 1936 the family moved to Shenandoah, Iowa where Shirley lived for the remainder of her life.

Shirley was employed by the Shenandoah Chamber of Commerce, Browns Shoe Fit Company General Office, Tidy House Products Company, Townsend Wholesale Grocery Company and World Publishing Company. After retiring from World Publishing Company, she was employed by Midstates Development, Inc. of Sioux City, Iowa as Resident Manager of Autumn Park Apartments in Shenandoah from 1979 to 1992.

She was a member of the First Christian Church of Shenandoah and was organist there for over 50 years. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 81 and Business and Professional Women.

Shirley was very faithful to the church as organist, always at Choir practice and at the organ on Sunday mornings. She played at many weddings and funerals. She has played the organ and piano for her church since she was eight years old. She was baptized in the Christian Church in Mystic, Iowa and played for Sunday School. As a teenager she played the organ for First Christian Church in Osceola, Iowa. She was very musical, also talented in violin, clarinet and piano. She received the honor of being the best musician in the Osceola High School and received the Musical Pin given by the school.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by one cousin and many friends.

Celebration of life funeral services were held on Friday, October 26, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah. Words of comfort were given by Pastor Trevor Skalberg. Organist was Margaret Woods. Soloist was Becca Cusick. Musical selections were "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Nearer My God, to Thee". Caring for the flowers was Clara Ware. Attending the memory register was Patsy Martin. Honorary casket bearers were the Shenandoah First Christian Church Men and Rich Hembry. Interment was in Highland Cemetery at Mystic, Iowa. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah was in charge of the arrangements.