Shirley Larkin

Shirley J. Larkin, 89, of Waukon, IA, died Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 12th, at 11:00 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 AM until the time of services Saturday at church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Shirley Jean Larkin was born December 7, 1935, in Waukon, IA, the daughter of Merrill Henry and Leone Eunice (Bacon) Gruber. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, attended rural Eells Country School and graduated from Waukon High School in 1954. On February 27, 1960, she married Cyril Larkin at St. Mary's Hanover in rural Waukon. Shirley and Cyril farmed in Union Prairie Township in rural Waukon, where they raised beef cattle, hogs, sheep and crops. She loved working on the farm, especially driving tractor, doing the field work, and caring for the animals.

Shirley was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church where she was very active in the ladies' groups. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and was very active in the neighborhood bible study group. Shirley enjoyed taking care of her yard and working with her plants and flowers. She also enjoyed bowling and belonged to a bowling league. Above all, Shirley loved spending time with her family and pets, cherishing the moments they spent together.

Survivors include her husband Cyril of Waukon; her daughters: Jackie (Steve Lapham) Larkin of Ridgeway, Judy (Tom) Kemp of Decorah, and Dani (Jason) Jones of Mauston, WI; five grandchildren: Ian (Rachel) Kemp, Jordan (Richard Jones) Kemp, Cyrilla (Chad Lechtenberg) Meyer, Max Kemp and Tashina Meyer; seven great-grandchildren: Adelina Meyer, Lester Erickson IIII, Maci Kemp, Leo Gooder, Cora Lechtenberg, Alayna Kemp, and Judelyn Gooder; brother-in-law Emmett Larkin and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; a brother Merrill Bev Gruber; a granddaughter Coletta Meyer; and a son-in-law Albert Meyer.

Honorary casketbearers are Jordan Kemp, Cyrilla Meyer, and Tashina Meyer. Casketbearers are Ian and Max Kemp, Richard Jones, Chad Lechtenberg, Dan Lyons, and Kenny Baumler.