Obituary

Elizabeth Shuka
December 26, 1930 - September 4, 2022

Elizabeth  Shuka

Elizabeth Shuka
Dec 26, 1930 - Sep 4, 2022

Elizabeth  Shuka
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Live stream link for Elizabeth's service https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82057536288?pwd=SlFnQWpuU3RKSExqRTJKN2s5Yy9KQT09
Meeting ID: 820 5753 6288
Passcode: 252022

On Sunday, September 4, 2022, after 91½ years as a faithful minister's wife, devoted mother, grandma, and great grandma, Elizabeth (Betty) Shuka entered into the arms of her Savior, Jesus, hearing the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord." (Matthew 25:21)

Her love, support, wry sense of humor, quick wit, and antics will be missed. But, we "do not sorrow as those who have no hope" (I Thessalonians 4:13), knowing that she is now seeing Jesus face to face, enjoying a reunion with family and friends who have gone before, and experiencing glory we cannot imagine.

Elizabeth Jean (Donnelly) Shuka was born December 26, 1930, in Waukegan, IL to Robert and Grace Donnelly. She attended school in Waukegan and graduated from Waukegan High School. After graduation she worked as a draftsman until she went on to attend and graduate from Midwest Bible College in St. Louis, MO. There she met her future husband, Walter William Shuka. Walter and Elizabeth were united in marriage on August 25, 1951. They were blessed with 4 children: Donnalee, Michael, Robert and Janice.

Pastor Bill and Elizabeth (Betty) had a deep passion for the Lord and served 40 plus years alongside one another in ministries at Chatham and Bridgeton Bible Churches in the St. Louis, MO area; Calvary Baptist Church in Rhinelander, WI; Waukegan Bible Church in Waukegan, IL; and Zion Bible Church in Douds, IA. They semi-retired in 1990, moving to Waukegan, IL, to care for Elizabeth's ailing mother, Grace. After "Mother's" homegoing they served for 2 years at the Evangelical Free Church in Bagley, MN.

In 1993 Walter and Elizabeth purchased a 5th wheel camper and pickup and pursued their lifelong favorite activity-camping. For many years they divided their time between travel, visiting grandkids and volunteering at the mission Ethnos 360 (formerly New Tribes Mission) in Sanford, FL, and Crescent Lake Bible Camp in Rhinelander, WI. (Elizabeth attended camp there as a teenager, they honeymooned there and Elizabeth was a camp cook for many years.)

They retired full time in 2001, moving into the senior community of Mound View in Marion, IA. While there they both became very involved in ministries at Noelridge Park Church in Cedar Rapids, IA. It was here that Bill went to be with Jesus on March 5, 2012. Elizabeth then moved to Ames to be closer to family, living first at Keystone Apartments and then at The Rose of Ames. During these years she enjoyed being a part of Heartland Baptist Church, including the Silver Anchors group. In October of 2020, she moved into Westhaven Community, Boone, IA, where she could receive more specialized care for her Parkinson's Disease. She was faithfully and lovingly cared for by the staff and her daughter-in-law Becky Shuka.

Elizabeth's passion was Jesus and spending as much time as she could with family and friends. She also had a love for chocolate, Coke, music, and candles! She found great joy in decorating her home and the apartments where they lived, especially during the Christmas season. Everywhere she lived she was known for her elaborate Christmas decorations: lights, trees, wreaths, villages, Nativity scenes, tinsel, garlands, ornaments and candles, candles, candles! She loved it all.

She was a multi-talented artist enjoying landscape and tole painting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, and Hardanger. She was gifted on the piano and organ and played at all the churches where she ministered. Other interests included cooking at Crescent Lake Bible Camp, flowers, puzzles, crossword puzzles, sudoku, and scrabble.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, her parents, a sister, a brother, 1 grandson and 1 granddaughter. She is survived by her 4 children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, with one on the way in December (due on her birthday.)

A visitation will be held Friday evening, September 23, from 6-8 pm at Heartland Baptist Church, 3333 Stange Rd, Ames.
A Celebration of Elizabeth's life will be Sunday, September 25, 2022 at 1:30 pm at CityChurch of Ames-Des Moines, 2400 Oakwood Road, Ames.

Memorials for Elizabeth may be given to Scripture Memory Mountain Mission (www.campnathanael.org/give) or checks to the Mission (with her name on the memo line) may be mailed to the family.

Sue Davis on Sep 16, 2022

Condolence to Elizabeth's family who she loved and spoke of often! Her room at westhaven was such a cozy and well decorated room especially at christmas time
I truly enjoyed her coming to activities to play bingo for her favorite CHOCOLATE! She was a good game player as well. May you find comfort and peace in the days ahead and loving memories to hold on your heart! Sue Davis

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Visitation

Sep
23
Friday
Heartland Baptist Church
3333 Stange Rd
Ames, Iowa 50010
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM


Service

Sep
25
Sunday
City Church
2400 Oakwood Road
Ames, IA, United States 50010
1:30 PM


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"Faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love"