NORTH SIOUX CITY -- Shirley A. Porter-Rockford, 74, of North Sioux City died Saturday, April 16, 2011, at her residence following a lengthy illness.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Berkemier Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Tobin Pederson of The Resurrection Lutheran Church officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will be at a later date in Elk Point City Cemetery, Elk Point, S.D. Visitation with the family will be 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Visitation will resume noon until service time Thursday at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to
www.christysmith.com
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Shirley was born June 23, 1936, in Lyons, Ohio, the daughter of Lloyd L. and Ruth (Willie) Buehrer. She was raised in Wauseon, Ohio, and attended Wauseon High School.
She married Franklin L. Porter on April 21, 1953, in Adrian, Mich. They moved to the Siouxland area in 1958. She worked for Iowa Beef Processing Co. in quality control for 27 years. In 1991, they moved to Henderson, Nev., and Shirley managed a 7-11 Store from 1992 to 1999. Franklin died on Feb. 16, 1997, in Henderson. She then married Merwyn L. "Rocky" Rockford on Dec. 29, 2002, in Henderson. They returned to the Siouxland area in 2007 and made their home in North Sioux City.
Shirley enjoyed doing needlepoint and embroidering. She was an avid rose gardener. She enjoyed doing word find puzzle books. She liked to play Farkle and she enjoyed fishing and traveling. She was a member of The Resurrection Lutheran Church.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Rocky of North Sioux City; her five children and their spouses, Alice and Michael Malone of Las Vegas, Nev., Franklin L. and Karrie Porter of Jefferson, S.D., Ernest L. and Theresa Porter of North Sioux City, Linda M. and Daniel Newman of Lead, S.D., and Christopher L. and Rachel Porter of Sioux City; 34 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; two brothers; and four sisters.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband; a son, Larry E. Porter; and two sisters.
The family wishes to thank Hospice of Siouxland nurses and staff for all of the care, love and support they gave to Shirley and the whole family.