Shirley L. Moench

Shirley Lorraine Moench passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of Friday, May 16, 2025 in Humboldt, Iowa. Born on November 18, 1934 to Bernard and Esther Kuehnast (Friedrich), she lived her life according to her confirmation verse, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:5 KJV).

After marrying Herbert Moench on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1955 at Zion Lutheran Church, they lived and worked together on their farm for 57 years. Shirley also held fond memories of her 30 years working as a clerk at the Humboldt County Treasurer’s Office.

An avid Cyclone fan, she spent her time listening (not watching, as it made her nervous) to countless football and basketball games. She loved being outdoors in her garden, as well as sewing and quilting, cooking, and baking. Her children and grandchildren will especially remember her yummy bars, peaches and cream pies, apple dumplings and caramel rolls. Generous with her gift of sewing, her family is lucky to have the many quilts she made for them to treasure and keep a piece of her close.

As a lifelong member of Zion, she served as a Sunday school teacher, was a member of the LWML, and sang in the choir. She also loved serving people with her food–many of you probably experienced her way of caring for others with a warm meal or baked goods.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Esther Kuehnast, and her husband, Herb Moench. She is survived by her brothers, Don (Marilyn) Kuehnast and Daryl (Sharon) Kuehnast, and children, Randy (Connie) Moench, Julie (Mark) Riessen, and Janet (Scott) Strachan. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, Emmie Moench, Melanie (Tom) Riley, Matt (Jess) Moench, Jeremy (Shari) Strachan, Andy (Hannah) Strachan, Aaron (Sarah) Riessen, Becca (Jared) Dietz, and Morgan (Cody) Prantner, as well as 11(and counting) great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20th and visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service Tuesday, both at Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral & Cremation Service of Humboldt is in charge of the arrangements. www.masonlindhart.com