Shirley Rients, 88, of Spencer, Iowa, passed away on December 30, 2024, after a few days of loving comfort care in the Spencer Hospital. Shirley had many visitors during her last days and passed away peacefully holding her children’s hands and surrounded by the care and love of family and friends.
Shirley was born in Ocheyedan, Iowa, to Gilbert and Doris (Meyer) Otto of blessed memory on December 10, 1935. After attending a one-room schoolhouse as a child, she graduated from Worthington Minnesota High School in 1953. During high school, Shirley lettered in bowling and worked as a carhop on roller skates at the local drive in. She also met the love of her life, Dr. Verland G. Rients (Doc) of blessed memory, while roller skating at the local rink. After high school, Shirley worked as an Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Worthington High School until she married “Doc” on September 2, 1956. Shirley and Doc moved to Davenport, Iowa, at that time where Shirley worked in personnel for Eagle Signal while Doc attended college.
After driving around southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa, Shirley and Doc chose Graettinger, Iowa to be the place to open Doc’s Chiropractic Clinic and raise their family. They had 4 children: Randy Rients of Virginia Beach, Virginia (and his wife, Christina Rients), Dr. Pamela Rients of Sunnyvale, California (and her husband, Dr. Steve Tuschman, and their children, Michael Tuschman of New York City, New York and Samantha Tuschman of Minneapolis, Minnesota), Jeff Rients of Center Pointe, Iowa (and his children Lizz (Rients) DeLarm and husband Joey DeLarm and daughter, Emmy, and Christopher Rients, all of Center Pointe), and David Rients of Fullerton, California (and his wife, Cleide Rients, and children, William Rients, Natalie Rients and Charlie Rients, all of Fullerton.) Shirley also counts many others as precious children and family as she guided and impacted so many lives as a loving mother, role model, mentor, trusted confidant and faithful friend. Shirley is survived by her four children, seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter - as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and cousins and those she also considered to be her children. Shirley moved to an apartment at Riverview Terrace, Spencer, Iowa in 2015 where she continued to make many new, dear friends among the staff and residents. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Doc, in 2006; her sister-law, Delores Wegner, and her parents and three brothers, Robert, Myron and Wayne Otto, all of blessed memory.
While Shirley will always be remembered as an amazing spouse, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, family member and friend, she will also be remembered for her good deeds and acts of loving kindness in her church and community, (Graettinger Development Council and Church Building Committee). She received the “Good Neighbor Award” by KEYC TV in Mankato, MN in recognition of her work in the church, community and hospice. Shirley enjoyed bicycling and always considered riding two RAGBRAI’s to be among her greatest achievements. She also enjoyed and will be remembered for her love of geraniums, red cardinals, dancing, watching basketball, lemon pie and fresh fruit. She was also known as “The Decorator’’ because of her talent for making every space beautiful. Whether she was caring for her beautiful flower gardens on the farm, entertaining family and friends on July 4th, Thanksgiving or Christmas; cooking delicious food for anyone who popped in, sharing wisdom with friends from all generations or remarking on the beauty of nature - Shirley was a light to the world. She will be remembered for her always-happy, giving nature, her kindness to all, her love of personal growth and constant learning, her acceptance of all people, her hopeful resilience and hard work to manage the complexities of life and health - and her love for us all.
Shirley’s constant smile may be what we remember most of all.
A funeral service and celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger, Iowa on Thursday, January 11, starting with a visitation at the church at 10:30 a.m. The funeral service, under the care of Reverend John Wolf, will follow at 11:30 a.m. with burial at Valley View Cemetery in Graettinger and a lunch at Bethel Lutheran Church.
Any donations in Shirley’s memory may be sent to Bethel Lutheran Church, 401 W Patterson Street, Graettinger, Iowa 51342.
Online condolences may be left for Shirley’s family at HenryOlsonFuneral.com.
