Obituary for Shirley Irene Gehring

Shirley Irene Gehring: 74, 2426 Walden Court, Iowa City, died Wednesday evening, May 21, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City from cancer-related illnesses. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 26th at St. Columba Catholic Church. Internment of Mom''s ashes will be in the St. Columba Cemetery in Ottawa, Illinois. Friends may call at the church after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Shirley is survived by her children, Mary Rees and husband Con of Houston, TX; Russell Gehring of Crown Point, IN; Joan Kuhl of Raytown, MO and Mark Gehring of Houston, TX; a brother, Robert F. Boyle of Denver, IA and brothers and sisters-in-law Philmer Grimes of Boise, Idaho, Jerry & Marilyn Gehring of Des Moines, IA, Joyce & Jack Van Sickel of Phoenix, AZ, Tom Meighan Sumner, IA, Norma Gehring of Iowa City, Ia and Edith Bryant of Iowa City, and Janet Luise and Tom Hickey of Ukiah CA. Shirley had 5 grandchildren, Steve, Ruschelle, Nathan, Joe and Ben; two great granddaughters, Cassandra and Melanie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Gehring, JR, her parents, a sister Ethel Grimes, two sisters-in-law, Lorraine Boyle and Grace Meighan, and one grandchild, Jonna Gehring. Shirley was born November 1, 1928 in Elgin, IA, the daughter of George and Ruth (Lyon) Boyle. The wife and helpmate of Dr. Lawrence Gehring, a teacher, coach, principal & superintendent at schools in Iowa, Indiana & Illinois, Larry considered her a vital part of his successful career. Although challenged with severe rheumatoid arthritis in hands & elbows, Shirley was a skilled seamstress and creative with doll making and needlework. She had a beautiful alto voice, loved especially to harmonize, and sang in choirs of churches of various cities in which she lived. She was especially kind and had a genuine talent for making one feel at ease. She was dearly loved by all who knew her. We''ll miss her very much, but look forward to a time when we''ll all be together again. God bless you Mom! Please send message, memory or tribute to Shirley Gehring family % of Norma Gehring at 1212 E. Bloomington, Iowa City, Iowa 52245.