Shirley J. Aschbrenner

Shirley J. Aschbrenner

Shirley J. Aschbrenner

Cedar Rapids

Shirley J. Aschbrenner (Weary Traveler), 79, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, became perfectly restored in God’s time, surrounded by loved ones, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Legacy Center in Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids. An additional visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to noon, Monday, Jan. 16, at the Legacy Center. Funeral services will take place on Monday in the Murdoch-Linwood Chapel beginning at 1 p.m. But in honor of Ron and Shirley never being on time, services will start at 1:05 p.m.

Shirley was born on Feb. 9, 1943, the daughter of Laverne and Lorette Warnke. She grew up on her grandparents farm with her parents and four siblings. She enjoyed spending time with her sisters collecting eggs. She had many jobs, but staying home with her children was her favorite. She was an A&W carhop, telephone operator, a Killian’s bookkeeper and retired from working in food service for Truman and Taft Schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.

On Nov. 22, 1963, Shirley married her life-long traveling companion, Ronald Aschbrenner. She was a devoted wife and mother; cooking meals, making desserts and taking care of her family, always before herself. Every night she enjoyed popcorn or ice cream with Ron, while watching mysteries, westerns or nature shows on IPTV. She was an active member of Concordia Lutheran Church. Her love and compassion showed through her teaching Sunday School, VBS and volunteering where needed. She delivered Meals on Wheels, supported Wycliffe Bible Ministry, and participated in many mission experiences. She loved the outdoors as much as her husband, hunting for mushrooms, gardening and picking dandelions wherever she found them. She was very crafty, whether it was; sewing, macrame, crocheting or needlepoint and loved making things for others. Shirley was competitive and enjoyed many sports. She played basketball in high school, softball as an adult and was an all-star pitcher playing for the Kmart team. She bowled in a league, played cards and enjoyed playing ping pong with her grandkids. Shirley will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Shirley is survived and lovingly remembered by her three daughters, Tania (Jim) Johnson of Cedar Rapids, Terese (Dave) Nelson of North Liberty and Tiffany (Joel) Kercheval of Montezuma and grandchildren, Kai and Cam Johnson, Jenna and Kelly Nelson, Joey, Laila, and Analeece Kercheval. Older brother, Virgil (Judy) Warnke, Younger sister, Joyce Dalecky, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Laverne and Loretta Warnke; sister, Bonnie; brother, Roger; brother-in-law, Richard Dalecky (Uncle Dick); and her husband, Ronald, her family is comforted knowing they are together again.

Memorials in Shirley’s memory have been established.

Please share a memory of Shirley at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

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