Shirley Brockmueller

  Shirley Brockmueller, 88 of Freeman passed away Monday, February 5th at the Freeman Regional Nursing Home.  A memorial service will be held on March 23rd (Saturday) at 11am at the Salem Mennonite (South) Church of rural Freeman.  A memorial visitation will be held on Friday from 5:30 pm to 7pm at the Walter Funeral Home in Freeman.

Shirley Joann Brockmueller was born on July 9, 1935, in Freeman, South Dakota to parents Joseph and Anna (Herting) Waltner. She died on February 5, 2024, of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

Shirley was baptized by J. Herbert Fretz and became a member of the Salem Mennonite Church. On June 25, 1954, she married the love of her life, Gordon Brockmueller. To this union of 54 wonderful years was born four children, Lee, Cindee, Joseph and Suzanne.

She served the church in many ways, including teaching Sunday School, serving with Women in Mission, singing in choir, and being a member of the Home Mission Committee of the Northern District Conference with church planting. Faith and family were at the center of her life.

When Shirley was six weeks old, her family moved from Freeman, SD, to the Seattle, Washington, area to escape the hardship of the 1930’s depression. She graduated from high school there, and that summer Gordon visited her and persuaded her to return to Freeman and attend Freeman Jr. College. She attended college, but a serious car accident ended her schooling. Shortly after, she and Gordon married, and later they left for Vietnam, where Gordon did his 1W service working for International Voluntary Service. At this time, Shirley taught English in Saigon. From 1962 to 1965, she moved with her growing family to Washington D.C. where Gordon continued his work with IVS. This led to a job with the US Agency of International Development in Algeria and then Tunisia (North Africa) from 1965 to 1970. Shirley continued to care for her family and participate in many wonderful experiences overseas.

In 1970, Shirley and her family returned to Gordon’s family farm by Freeman where she worked side by side with Gordon, gardening, canning, cooking and taking care of her family. She loved reading, going for walks, and being outside in nature. Her family definitely benefitted from her wonderful gourmet cooking skills!! She and Gordon enjoyed traveling, and she accompanied him on Shorthorn trips to Argentina and Australia. She also loved music, playing piano, and singing in the Sweet Adelines. Watching her children and grandchildren compete in countless track and cross country meets and participate in musical events brought her much joy!

Alzheimer's slowly took her memory, but her sweetness, love of others, and sense of humor stayed with her. She moved into Oakview Nursing Home in February of 2020, where she was known for her quick smile and loving personality. There, she received wonderful care and compassion from the entire staff.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, grandson, William, brother Earl (Betty) Waltner; sisters Pearl (George) Bowlby, Violet Davido; sisters-in-law Vivian (Glenn) Gering, and Cleo (Herb) Friesen.  Left to remember her are her children; Lee and his wife Marilyn of Freeman; Cindee and her husband Brent Mutchelknaus of Irene; Joseph and his wife Betty of Brandon and Suzanne and her husband Todd Koerner of Freeman.  Grandchildren Karalee (Matthew Haines), Timothy (partner Elizabeth Buhmann), Michon (Cody Charles), Sara (Robin Yeo), Andrew, Robert, Lillie (Andre Eisenbeis), Clara (Billy Beseman), Ben and Jada along with six great grandchildren. Shirley also has a sister-in-law, Joyce (Jim) Wipf from Viborg, along with nieces,nephews and cousins.