Obituary of Shirley Ann Thuerk

SHIRLEY ANN THUERK (nee Stewart), 90, of Santa Clarita, California, passed away on September 28, 2017 in Santa Clarita.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church 26640 Bouquet Canyon Road, with Reverend Melissa Roux MacKinnon officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 2, at Rose Family Funeral Home, 4444 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, California.

Shirley was born on October 8, 1926 in Evanston, Illinois to Robert and Ethel (nee Anderson) Stewart. She graduated from Evanston High School in 1944, and worked as a secretary until becoming a full-time wife, mother and homemaker.

Shirley met the love of her life, Ervin Donald Thuerk, in 1943. They were married on April 19, 1947. They started their family while living in Evanston and Skokie, Illinois. They went on to raise their family of four children in Arlington Heights, Illinois. In 1976 they moved to California, where they spent the rest of their years together, residing in Westlake Village, Palm Desert, Bakersfield, Stevenson Ranch and Santa Clarita.

Over the years, Shirley was actively involved in various organizations including PTA, League of Women Voters, Republican Women’s Club and book clubs. She was an excellent bridge player and it was a passion of hers. She loved sports, especially the Chicago Cubs, and was thrilled to see the team win the 2016 World Series. A lover of music, she appreciated various genres, with a favorite being big band music and jazz. Most important to her was her family, and she cherished time spent with her husband, children and extended family.

Shirley is survived by her husband Ervin; daughters Sheryl Douglas, Kathie Chesnut (Ronald); and Donna Norman (Bruce); and son Scott Thuerk (Daisy); eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Ethel Stewart, sister Roberta Ebaugh, and brother Kenneth Stewart.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Santa Clarita United Methodist Church, 26640 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, California 91350.