Arnold, Shirley (Given)

Shirley (Given) Arnold, 76, of Sioux City, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Sioux City. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. May 21 in Manchester. A celebration of Shirley's life will follow at the American Legion in Manchester at noon the same day.

Shirley was born Nov. 19, 1934, in Manchester, Iowa, to Thomas Burdette and Theresa Mary (Simon) Given. She attended St. Xavier's Catholic grade school and Manchester schools. On April 4, 1951, she was married to Donald “Duckett” Arnold Sr. of Manchester. Together they had two children, Donald Jr. and Pamela. Shirley worked at Fareway for eight years before she joined The Ertl Co. in Dyersville in the office sales department where she worked for 23 years before joining her husband in retirement, when they moved to Sioux City.

Shirley was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her greatest joy came from the time she had with her grandchildren and the moments with them as they became young adults. She could always be counted on for her support - and a good laugh - and she loved to travel with her husband and family, spending much of her retirement as a “winter Texan” in South Padre Island, Texas. She loved to travel to Mexico with family and friends, baking holiday cookies and candy, going to casinos with Don, reminiscing and storytelling about life with her witty and charming sisters. Shirley had many friends old and new that she met during her years of travel.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 60 years, Donald Sr.; one son, Donald Jr. and his wife, Beverly, of Sioux City; a special granddaughter, Jennifer (Jamie) Freeman of Omaha, Neb.; a special grandson, Scott Arnold of Oskaloosa; and two very welcome great-grandchildren, Anna and Owen Freeman. In addition she was blessed with two stepgranddaughters, Breanna and Kelsey Baldwin of Sioux City; three stepgreat-grandchildren; and two sisters, Bernita (Given) Voight of Shawno, Wis., and Marilyn “Tootie” (Given) Stahlhut of Omaha, Neb.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Burdette and Theresa; daughter, Pamela; sisters, Betty Given, Harriet (Given) Morris, Edith (Given) Sauerbry and Florence (Given) Cole; and one brother, Burdette “Bud” Given.

Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of Siouxland, 4300 Hamilton Blvd., Sioux City, IA 51104.

Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service in Sergeant Bluff.

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