Shirley LaVonne Jansen was born October 25, 1937, North of Lynnville, Iowa; the fifth of five children born to Gerrit C. and Elizabeth (Fopma) Jansen. She attended Black Oak country school and graduated from Sully High School in 1956. After graduation she worked for General Telephone Co. in Grinnell and the Sully Co-op Creamery office. On September 21, 1956 she was united in marriage with Bruce Baarda, in Sully. A union that would last 60 years! They became the parents of a daughter, Valerie, who married Scott Rolffs and a son, Kent who married Joellyn (Burnham) Weideman. In 1958, Bruce was drafted into the United States Army. Shirley went with Bruce when he was sent to Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah for 2 1/2 years. She worked at Mantes Chevrolet in Utah and this is where their daughter Valerie was born. After she and Bruce returned from the service their son Kent was born. Shirley went to work for the Lynnville-Sully Schools as a secretary for 30 years, retiring in 1997. After retirement she went along with Bruce delivering motor homes from Winnebego Industries. Shirley loved to watch her children and grandchildren in sports and other events in their lives. Bruce and Shirley wintered in Florida and loved to travel. Family always enjoyed hearing about what adventures they had along the way. Shirley loved to read, puzzle and having coffee with her friends. Special times with her sisters and sister-in-law for coffee or lunch, and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bruce passed away on August 29, 2017, after 60 years of marriage. Left with memories are her daughter, Valerie and her husband Scott Rolffs, along with their family - Corey and Dr. Jaci, and children Addilynn and Ellanora Rolffs, Cole and Leah and son Perry Rolffs, and Aimee and Josh and children Camden and Chet Nikkel; her son, Kent and his wife Joellyn Baarda along with their family - CDR Cole Weideman USN and wife Jennifer and daughter Mackenzie, Trisha and Dan Beyer, and LT Kaid Weideman USN; two sisters, Bernice Dieleman, Cornelia Boat, sister-in-law Jerri Jansen; and sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, Lucille Nikkel, Karen and Phil Langstraat and Karma and Don Burman. Shirley passed peacefully on January 13, 2022, surrounded by family after a three year battle with cancer. Shirley was a member of the First Reformed Church of Sully, Iowa. Her faith was an important part of her life. Preceding her in death, her husband Bruce Baarda; her parents; sister - Mary Nikkel, brother Cornie Jansen, brother-in-laws, Joe Nikkel, Louis Dieleman, Harris Boat; her parents-in-law, sisters and brothers-in-laws -Hubert and Joyce Huizer, Edward and Ila Mae Huyser, Edward Nikkel, Dean and Judith Baarda. Memorial contributions can be made to Lakeview Camp or Hospice of Pella in care of Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.