Shirley A. Nieuwsma

Shirley Ann Nieuwsma, 89, of Clive, Iowa, and formerly a longtime resident of Marion, Iowa, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 7th, 2026.

Shirley was born in Pella, Iowa, on February 28th, 1936, the youngest of the three children of Cornelius (Case) and Ella Rook. As their only daughter, Shirley and her brothers Herman and Lawrence were part of a close and loving family.

Shirley met her future husband, Harlan, while attending Pella High School. They dated for several years, even enduring several years apart while Harlan served in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict. They eventually were married on July 27th, 1956, in Pella, Iowa. Their union together lasted 68 loving years until Harlan passed away in September 2024.

Shirley grew up on a farm in Pella, Iowa, where she graduated from high school in 1954. She was involved in many activities while attending school, including being a baton twirler in the band, a homecoming queen, and was involved in numerous clubs such as the school newspaper and STOP (Speedy Typers of Pella). Following their wedding, Shirley and Harlan moved to Iowa City, Iowa, while Harlan attended the University of Iowa. While there, Shirley worked at the VA Hospital and, in 1957, gave birth to their first child, Steven.

Following Harlan’s graduation from the University of Iowa, Shirley and her growing family initially moved to Cedar Rapids, where Harlan began his career at Collins Radio Company and both Julie and David were born. They eventually moved into a beautiful acreage north of Marion. Shirley and the family loved their Marion home, which offered a large yard, gardens, and flower beds. Shirley loved to cook and bake, make candles, can vegetables, participate in garden clubs, as well as involve herself with Home Interiors. When her children got older, she even worked at Linn-Mar School, in both the nurse’s office and reading & development center. However, her favorite activity was always supporting and raising their three children with Harlan. They were fortunate to live 58 years in their home together.

Throughout the many years raising her family, Shirley and Harlan took the children on many exciting vacations, but one of their favorite vacation spots was spending time at Taylor Park, near Gunnison, Colorado. They spent numerous weeks there during summers, fishing and hiking and enjoying the gorgeous mountains and lakes of Colorado. During one of the trips, they even found an abandoned puppy and took him into their home. They named him Gunnison, and he offered them constant love and companionship in their later years. Their love of Colorado even extended to leading numerous Youth Group trips to Leadville, as members of the First Presbyterian Church of Marion. Shirley and Harlan also enjoyed numerous trips with Julie’s family to Door County, Wisconsin.

Following Harlan’s retirement from Collins, he and Shirley got the travel bug and took many trips to Europe, conducting genealogy research and connecting with relatives previously unknown. From this research, they were able to publish two books documenting the Rook family lineage and history. They also enjoyed traveling to several other faraway destinations such as Italy and the United Kingdom.

Shirley is survived by her three children: Steven (Peggy) Nieuwsma of Marion, Julie (Brian) Waggoner of Clive, Iowa, David (Mary) of Marion; eleven grandchildren: Benjamin of Central City, Alison of Marion, Katherine of Marion, Samuel (Sarah) of Des Moines, Joseph of Cedar Rapids, John (Jenna) of West Des Moines, Joshua of Clive, Ella of Clive, Jacob of Salt Lake City, Utah, Jennifer of Glen Burnie, Maryland, and Stephanie (Juan) of Lakewood, Colorado; eight great-grandchildren: Mason, Keegan, Maizik, Logan, Konnor, SJ, Lizzie and Stanley, as well as baby girl on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 68 years, Harlan, and her brothers Lawrence and Herman Rook.

A funeral service will be held for Shirley on Thursday, January 15th at 11:00 am at Murdoch Funeral Home in Marion, Iowa. Friends may arrive up to an hour early to enjoy commemoration of her life. Refreshments will be served following the service. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella, Iowa.

Memorials may be given to the Youth Group of the First Presbyterian Church of Marion.