A Mass of Christian Burial for Shirley Dickinson, age 73, of the Lakes area, was held Monday, October 20, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. Interment was at St. Margaret’s Catholic Cemetery in Spirit Lake. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Shirley be given to the Abben Cancer Center of Spencer or the Lakes Regional Healthcare Hospice.
Dear family and friends,
There is no better way to sum-up Shirley Dickinson than, “she loved you all.” Shirley passed away on October 13th after a seven-year battle with breast cancer. She fought until her last breath because she loved her family and friends so much that she did not want to miss anything fun going on around her.
A lifelong resident of the Iowa Great Lakes area, Shirley was born on November 6, 1951, in Jackson, Minnesota. Her parents moved to a small homestead on the east side of Big Spirit Lake and began farming. Shirley attended a one-room country school in Orleans until the first grade, and eventually the family moved into town. As a graduate of Spirit Lake High School in 1969, she married her high school love, Dan Dickinson, and they stayed an inseparable duo for the next fifty-five years. She enjoyed a five-decade long career as a waitress and the time she spent with the thousands of people she served over the years. She loved the Okoboji area, but more than that, she loved the people that lived here. She defined what it means to be a “people person.”
Shirley had two sisters and a brother that defied a text-book explanation of “family.” Irene Goetsch, Marci Stoller, and Duane Zahradnik proved that siblings can also be best friends. Whether playing marbles, cards, or going for a drive around the lakes, they planned time together, even into “Shirl’s” final weeks. It was never a requirement or chore but always special cherished time. They had a connection that nothing, not even a mortal passing can disrupt.
As much as her siblings meant to Shirley, there was really only one north star that made her rise up every morning. Dan turned from high school sweetheart to lifelong partner. They remained together through thick and thin. Through more than half a century, they tackled every challenge or victory with the same focus. After they retired, their favorite pastime was driving around the lakes, and in the summer, they could be seen on their daily golf cart rides throughout the Arnolds Park area. They truly exemplified marriage and commitment.
Shirley and Dan had two sons at a young age, but that only made them more determined to ensure that their boys had boundless opportunities. They were amazing and supportive parents that put Jeremy and Josh at the center of their lives. You would think that nothing could ever change that, but then the grandkids came along. Anyone who has ever met Grandma Shirley knows that nothing meant more to her than her dear grandchildren, and it is through their lives that she will never be forgotten.
Shirley is heading to eternity to see her mother and father (Margaret and Louie Zahradnik), her in-laws (Evelyn and Bob Dickinson), and so many other dear family members and friends that there are too many to name. Her legacy will live on through her son Jeremy and his wife Chrissy, with their daughters, Emony and Lisbet. Her younger son, Josh, and his wife, Jamie, are rearing Collin, Danny, Evie, Broden, and Bentley, along with their dear daughter-in-law, Amy Dickinson. She is also survived by her very special sisters-in-law, Kay Franker and Gail Riemenscheider.
Shirley was a woman of deep faith. She was a life-long member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. This faith led her to believe that she would see you all again. When she does, she will be ready to give you a welcoming hug.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
