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The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Shirley Jean Wensel
SHIRLEY JEAN WENSEL
Osage Beach, Mo.
Shirley Jean Wensel, 85, of Osage Beach, Mo., was called home by the Lord on Dec. 30, 2021, surrounded by her family, in Osage Beach, Mo.
A visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow the visitation and begin at
1 p.m.
Shirley was born on Sept. 1, 1936, the oldest of eight children born in Petersburg, Ind., to James L. Caldemeyer and June M. (Postin) Caldemeyer. She graduated in 1955 from Evansville, Ind. She married Gordon W. Wensel on April 2, 1962, in Winslow, Ind. Gordon and Shirley moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they raised their four children. She was a lifelong member of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She worked in several professions that included director of YWCA, Collins Radio, Amana Refrigeration, Square D and Caldemeyer Communications. Shirley's focus in life was on her children, grandchildren and beloved husband. In 1990, she and Gordon moved to Camdenton, Mo.
She loved playing bingo, horses and listening to country music. Her favorite artist, and undoubtedly his biggest fan, was her son Gordy. She also loved listening to Mickey Gilley and Alan Jackson.
Shirley is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, Gordon W. Wensel Sr.; son, Gordon (Debbie) Wensel Jr. of Mesa, Ariz.; daughter, Rhona (Tim) Gearhart of Camdenton, Mo.; son, Geoffrey (Kyung) Wensel of Waynesville, Mo.; grandchildren, Matthew, Amy, Jessica and Jeremy Wensel; she received news on Christmas day that she would soon be a great-grandmother; she is also survived by her sister, Janet Willett of Marion, Iowa; and brother, James Caldemeyer II of Hawkins, Texas.
Shirley was preceded in death by parents, James and June Caldemeyer; brothers, Samuel Caldemeyer, Ronald Caldemeyer and Richard Caldemeyer; sisters, Phyllis Caldemeyer and Edith Elder; and daughter, Joanna Wensel.
She was loved by family and friends and will be missed.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.
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