A Mass of Christian Burial for Patricia "Patty" Shirk of Emmetsburg was held Monday, Oct. 24, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. Celebrant was the Rev. Bill Schreiber. The Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg was in charge of arrangements.
Patricia Ann Shirk, daughter of Herbert and Phyllis (Zaug) Miller was born Sept. 12, 1955. She received her education in West Bend, graduating from West Bend High School in 1974. Following high school, Patty attended Iowa Lakes Community College, where she completed the Office Clerical program.
On Nov. 21, 1975 Patty was united in marriage to Doug Shirk at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in West Bend. They were blessed with three children. Doug and Patty made their home near Emmetsburg where they raised their family.
Patty was employed at Joyce’s Foodland and later Fareway. Her checkout lane always had the longest line, as the kids all knew they would get to scan one item from their cart so they made sure that was the line their mom or dad went to. Patty loved kids and she enjoyed visiting with each of them and finding out what was going on in their lives. After leaving Fareway, Patty went to work at Culligan Water. She retired from Culligan to babysit for her new grandchild. Patty loved being a Grandma to each of her grandchildren.
Patty truly enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends. Her pantry was always full and she would drop whatever she was doing to make your favorite treat or to send you with a care package of freshly canned produce that she grew in her garden. Patty grew up on a farm near West Bend and developed a great appreciation for nature. She loved every opportunity to watch the sun rise in the morning and set in the evening. She also liked sewing, whether patching someone’s clothing, designing a blue jean quilt or doing embroidery work. After her retirement she looked forward to having coffee with her friends at Deja Brew each morning.
Patty was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg.
Patty passed away Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022 at Mercy One Medical Center in Des Moines, \at the age of 67. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Phyllis Miller; and a brother, Steve Miller.
She is survived by her husband, Doug of Emmetsburg; her children, Scott Shirk of Sheldon, Brad Shirk of Mallard, and Missy Harnden of Bondurant; four grandchildren, Elliott, Lincoln, Conner, and Gibson; a sister, Marcia Bauer of Ottosen; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Condolences can be left at
www.martinmattice
funeralhome.com
