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Shirlie Yocom Obituary
Des Moines
Shirlie Lorraine Yocom, 89, peacefully passed away on Saturday December 8, 2012. She was born in Minot, North Dakota on February 4, 1923. Her family relocated to San Jose, CA when she was very young.
In 1940, Shirlie graduated from San Jose High School. She often shared that young Frank Sinatra performed at her senior prom. World War II led her to a job in Alaska, where she met her future husband who was an officer in the Navy. She relocated to Chariton to marry Curt Yocom on November 1, 1947.
In 1962, Shirlie enrolled at Simpson College and completed her BA, followed by a Masters Degree in English from NE Missouri State. She made substantial progress towards her PhD. For 22 years, Shirlie taught English in the Chariton school system where she inspired and left a lasting impression on hundreds of students.
Shirlie enjoyed volunteering in her community where she was active in the Chariton Women's Club, PEO, and the Lucas County Republican party. She also served as board member of the Arthritis Foundation, Iowa Children's and Family Services, Iowa Society of Crippled Children & Adults and the Easter Seals Society. For ten years, Shirlie conducted the Lucas County Easter Seals summer camp in Chariton. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Upon retirement, Shirlie moved to Des Moines. Shirlie was an elegant and independent woman, known for her love of fashion, interior decorating, and anything bright pink. However, her children and grandchildren were her greatest source of pleasure.
Shirlie was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Gladys (Brandt) Redetzke, and her husband Curt Yocom, Sr. She will be lovingly remembered by her two sons Curt, Jr. (Kate) and Brandt Yocom; grandchildren Madelyn, Blake, Tess, Taylor and Claire; and two great grandchildren, Adair and Veda.
To honor Shirlie's wishes, no services will be held and her body has been donated to Des Moines University.
Her family would like to thank the very caring staff at Fleur Heights Care Center and her friends at Mercy Park Apartments.
Any memorial contributions in Shirlie's name may be directed to the Chariton High School Library to purchase books in her memory.
Online condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Shirlie Yocom
Debora Dickinson
December 10, 2013
Shirlie was always the most elegant & pleasant woman in the room. She was so beautiful physically and in her heart. I didn't know her well, but always admired her. My deepest condolences to Curt and his family.
Tamara (McAtee) Poland
October 16, 2013
Ms. Yocom was my teacher also at CHS in the 80's. She always was a creative and positive woman and made us students feel good about ourselves. She retired the year my class graduated and was one of my favorite teachers ever. So sad to hear she has passed away.
December 16, 2012
Thank you to everyone for sharing your memories of Shirlie. We have enjoyed reading each message, discovering how she touched your lives. We loved her so much and will miss her. We are who we have become because we knew her.
Curt and Kate
DEBORA Dickinson
December 16, 2012
My prayers and deep condolences to Curt and the Yocom family. I rememeber her and her kind and creative nature.
JA
December 15, 2012
Mrs. Yocom was such a classy lady, beautiful in body, mind, and spirit. We were blessed to have her as a teacher at CHS. Hugs and Prayers to her family!
December 14, 2012
My love to you,Curt and Brandt. We had so
many wonderful times together!
Joyce Curtis
Anna Laura Dinkel
December 14, 2012
I worked for Dr. Yocom for 2# years. He and Jenny were such wonderful people. Curt and I were always arguing about something, Sorry for your loss of your mother.
Donna Test
December 13, 2012
Mrs. Yocom added some "class" to our high school. Along with our assignments of reading the classics, she introduced us to the arts by taking us to live theater performances in Des Moines and Ames. I also recall that she took us to eat at the Des Moines Club when we see a revival of the movie "Romeo & Juliet". That was truly a special experience for kids from Chariton High School! She truly cared about her students.
Then there were the senior picnics where she welcomed the whole senior class to her beautiful home.
My thoughts are with her family. You will miss her tremendously but can take pride in the fact that she touched so many lives.
December 12, 2012
R.I.P. Mrs. Yocom. You were a "wonderful" teacher, and I enjoyed your class lots! GBU, AND YOUR FAMILY. Melinda Gearhart.
December 12, 2012
I will always remember Shirlie and her bright pink lip stick and bright pink fleece she always wore! Such a great woman with a heart of gold. She was always so positive and could put a smile on anyone's face. I will miss seeing her and taking care of her! Prays to her family. She will be greatly missed!
Jonay Stockton - Mercy Medical Center
Terry Hartsock
December 12, 2012
she once labeled me Mr. Potential, and I fondly remember how that pushed me to strive harder in all my endeavors. She is fondly remembered.
December 12, 2012
Shirlie was a teacher ahead of her time, using multi-media as a teaching tool in the 1970s and taking students to Drake and Iowa State to see state reenactments of the books we were reading in class. To say she inspired me is an understatement! Debbie Chandler Landis
Carol Goering/Brown
December 12, 2012
I will always remember that beautiful smile & classy lady. She inspired so many of her students. Rest in peace sweet lady
Karen DeVore
December 11, 2012
God Bless each and everyone in your families Curt and Brandt for your loss of such a BEAUTIFUL, INSPIRING woman, mother, grandmother, who had such a tremendous impact on everyone she met or taught in school,she will live on in hearts and memories of everyone she met and everyone she taught in school she was well loved by all-- will miss her very much.
Lenore Dick
December 11, 2012
I hope you had a glimpse of how important you were to so many kids. I have lived my life since taking your class looking at not only art with appreciation but the whole world. You taught us to see the beauty that exists everywhere. I am trying to show my daughter at least some of the things you taught me. You were an amazing woman and I will never forget you. Thank you for everything.
J. L.
December 11, 2012
I'll never forget the fine books we read in English. Some of the books we read in her classroom, many moons ago, are now becoming movies. She was always there for each one of us. Encouragement, a shoulder, whatever we needed she was there. I will never forget the great times we had in her class or the forever smile she wore on her face. It always made you feel better. And the Iowa football games some got to go to. Her family has been truly blessed to have had such an amazing woman amongst them! I pray that each one will find comfort and peace in the coming days.
December 11, 2012
Since I was born in July, I appreciated celebrating my "unbirthday" in Mrs. Yocom's room. It felt great sitting in that chair on my day.
December 11, 2012
What a beautiful example of a lady! Mrs. Yocum was my high school teacher and I truly admired her elegance and her kindness.
December 11, 2012
Beautiful woman with a beautiful personality. She touched so many lives!
Trudy Smith
Suzi James
December 11, 2012
The artwork in your classroom inspired me as an art major and I always appreciated your great sense of style. No other classroom compared to yours. Your class was always exciting! Rest in Peace Shirlie.
December 11, 2012
One of the most BEAUTIFUL teachers I had the privilege of knowing! Rest in peace Shirlie.
December 11, 2012
You probably never realized the impact you had on me, while a teacher of mine, many years ago, when I was a teenager, at Mercy Franklin. I remember how you lit up the room, treated me like I was one of your own, and took me under your wing the short time I was there. Thinking of you and praying.
Myra Laing
December 11, 2012
Rest in peace Shirlie, you were a wonderful person and teacher to my daughters. Everyone loved Mrs Yocom!
K. R.
December 11, 2012
Mrs. Yocum was my high school English Comp. teacher. Each class was such an exciting place to be. She was inspiring to that group of rural Iowa students!!
She was the kind of teacher that was determined to reach each of her students on their level! I have the clearest memory of her sitting at her desk in-between classes. I walked up to her and told her I really wanted to go to college, but my grades were not high enough and no one in my family has ever gone to college?! She basically said it was never too late to get busy, to work hard and if I needed some encouragement she would be there for me!
She was an elegant, inspiring teacher that I'll never forget!! I took her advice and went on to college and my life has been blessed because of Mrs. Yocum's encouragement on that day in 1975.
Deb Conner
December 11, 2012
God Bless you all! Shirley was so beautiful in so many ways! She will be missed.
Heather Jones
December 10, 2012
What an amazing life she had and a beautiful legacy she has left through her children and grandchildren. We will be praying for peace and comfort and sweet memories to surface in the coming days/weeks/months ahead.
With Sympathy,
Joe and Heather Jones and family
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