Shirley Sorem, age 81, of Nevada, Iowa, died Wednesday, November 23, 2016, at Rolling Green Village in Nevada.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 28, 2016, at Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada, with burial to follow in the Ames Municipal Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada on Sunday from 1-3 p.m. 

Born April 10, 1935, in Creedmoor, North Carolina, Shirley Ann (Hobgood) Sorem was the daughter of Jimmie and Mattie Hobgood.  She grew up in Creedmoor and graduated from high school there in 1955. 

On November 12, 1955, Shirley was united in marriage to Richard Alvin Sorem in Creedmoor, North Carolina.  The couple made their home in Iowa after Richard completed his military service and was blessed with three sons, Douglas P., Blake, and Scott.  Shirley and Richard celebrated 53 years of marriage prior to Richard’s death in 2008.

Shirley worked at Collegiate Manufacturing Company in Ames for a short time, then was co-owner with her husband at their business in Nevada, Sorem Manufacturing Company. 

She had many interests, including calligraphy, stamping, and antiquing.  Shirley loved her cat, Stephanie, and also enjoyed traveling, especially trips home to the Carolinas.  Two special nieces, Cora and Pat, held a distinct place in her heart.  Family was most important to Shirley.  She had a knack for creating a unique bond with each individual family member and will be remembered as a dedicated and devoted wife and mother.  She had a legendary sweet tooth and delighted all with her wonderful cooking abilities.    

In earlier years, Shirley was an active member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Ames and loved singing in the church choir.  She was a past-member of Eastern Star.

Survivors include her three sons, Douglas P. (Launie J.) Sorem of Boone, Blake A. (Caroline) Sorem of Zearing, and Scott W. Sorem of Ames; seven grandchildren, Bryan (Stacey) Sorem of Nevada, Melissa (Shawn) Bitters of Colo, Holden (Holly) Sorem of Kent, WA, Wyatt Sorem and Delaney Sorem, both of Zearing, Joel Kupke of Houston,TX, and Kelly Irwin of Chicago, IL; and seven great-grandchildren, Douglas W. Sorem, Danny Sorem, Monte Bitters, Eli Bitters, and Summer, Mikey, and Harley Smith; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

In addition to her husband, Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; seven siblings and their spouses, Dorcas Ray, David H. Hobgood, Sallie E. Hobgood, Joel W. (Gertie) Hobgood, Jetter C. Hobgood, Jimmie Hobgood, Jr., and Edith F. (James) Rhodes.

Shirley’s family would like to extend a special thank you to her many caregivers and staff at Rolling Green Village for the exceptional care and kindness they provided to Shirley during the final years of her life.

Ryan Funeral Home of Nevada has been entrusted with the care of Shirley and her family.