Shirley Birkness

Shirley L. Birkness, 86, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at UnityPoint Hospice – Taylor House in Des Moines.

Per the wishes of Shirley and her family, cremation rites have been accorded under the care of the Mitchell Family Funeral Home and there will be no formal services. She will be laid to rest at Rock Island Arsenal Cemetery in Illinois. Memorials may be directed to the family. For online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Born Shirley Lorraine Goodknight on September 29, 1936 in St. Joseph, Missouri, she was the daughter of Alan W. and Margie L. (VanVacter) Goodknight. She graduated from Davenport High School with the class of 1954. After meeting the love of her life, Conrad C. Birkness, they were united in marriage on August 30, 1958. Shirley worked as a bookkeeper and secretary during her career.

Left to cherish her memory are her two children: Debra (Stephen) Shapiro and Christopher (Jamie) Birkness; grandchildren: Benjamin Shapiro, Matthew Allen, Tyler Birkness, Breanna Perez and Braden Birkness; niece Kathy Anderson; nephews: Michael, Allan and James Goodknight; and several other extended family members.

In eternal life, she is reunited with her beloved husband, Conrad; her parents and her brother, Walter Goodknight.