Obituary of Shirley Jean Pardekooper

Shirley Jean Hatch Pardekooper was born on February 11,1950 in Des Moines, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her father and mother Charles and Opal Hatch. She passed away on July 4, 2023, in Iowa City at her home surrounded by her family.

Shirley grew up on the South Side of Des Moines, where she met her future husband at the age of 14, Ron, at the MacRae Park ice skating rink. It was a high school romance that lasted 55 plus years. Ron and Shirley graduated from Lincoln High School in Des Moines and shortly after were married and the proud parents of a baby boy named, Kelly Charles. In 1971, Ron was called up for the military draft and served his duty in Germany along with his family. It was in Frankfurt, Germany that their second son, Justin James was born (twice proud). Upon their return to the United States, both Ron and Shirley finished their undergraduate degrees at the University of Iowa.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Ron; their sons, Kelly Charles and wife Karen, and Justin James and his children, son, Gabriel James, daughter, Savanna Katherine and her husband Joe Gunnells; and great-grandchild, Kire.  Also surviving are Shirley’s sisters,  Mary Ann Collins and her husband Gil, Jeri Lou Nunez and her husband Lou, and Charlene Kay Brooker and her family; her brother-in-law, Gary and his wife Deb, Ron’s sister, Marilyn and her husband Lew and their families. Ron’s oldest brother, David is deceased.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that contributions be made to the nonprofit organization that saved many lives.

511 Melrose Inc.

C/O Jeff McCullough, Treasurer

1921 Delwood Dr.

Iowa City, IA 52240

A time for family and friends to gather to celebrate Shirley’s life will be held from 4 to 7 pm, Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. At 4pm a family friend will share some thoughts and memories and the rest of the time will be for food and fellowship.