Shirley Ann (Richards) Von Muenster Wilkins

Shirley Ann (Richards) Von Muenster Wilkins, 95, of Bennett, IA, entered eternity on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, while at Cedar Manor Nursing Home, Tipton and with loving family at her side. On Saturday, January 29, 2022, Peace Church of Christ United, Bennett will host a Visitation from 9:00 am – 11:00 am and a Funeral service, officiated by Pastor Scott Meyer, at 11:00 am. Following the funeral, Shirley will be laid to rest at the Inland Cemetery, Bennett and a luncheon will be held at the Bennett Legion Hall (around 12:30 pm). Online condolences may be shared on www.fryfuneralhome.com. Shirley, daughter of Herbert and Edith Pearl (Gladfelter) Richards was born on Thursday, March 25, 1926, in Tipton, IA. She graduated from Tipton High School and went on to complete the Cadet Nurse program at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA. The Cadet Nurse program was a program established by the US government to fill the need for nurses during WWII. Shirley worked briefly for Mercy Hospital in Davenport, IA and then was hired by Dr. Lawrence Block (who played football for Iowa), where she worked as an office nurse and nurse anesthetist for 5 years. In January of 1952, Shirley married Everett Von Muenster at the Tipton Methodist Church, the same church where she was confirmed and attended. Shirley and Everett moved to the rural New Liberty/Bennett area, where she helped her husband farm. They raised four children and were members of the Peace Church of Christ United in Bennett. Shirley and Everett were married for 59 years and on January 8, 2011, Everett passed away peacefully in his home in Bennett. On December 23, 2011, Shirley married Robert Wilkins in Bennett. Shirley is survived by her children, David (Betsy), James (Diana), Julie (Perry), and Eric (Lori); 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; husband Robert; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Mary Challis and Beverly Mueller; husband, Everett; her beloved great Aunt Anne Richards Whan; and grandson, Jeffrey Von Muenster (son of Eric and Lori).