Shirley Ruth Knippenberg (nee Utter), 98, asleep in Jesus on February 27, 2025.   She was born August 1, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of the late George P. and Adele C. (nee Lohmeyer) Utter.  Her beloved brother, George A. Utter, and sister-in-law, Arline R. Utter, preceded her in death.  Shirley married Arnold K. ("Knipp") Knippenberg at Hope Lutheran Church, St. Louis, on August 23, 1952, and he preceded her in death in 2006.   Also preceding her in death was grandson Jonathan Colin Howard, in 2008.

Shirley is survived by her sons Mark (Viji) Knippenberg, Craig (Lisa) Knippenberg, and John (Janine) Knippenberg, all of Denver, Colorado, and her daughters Janet (Jeff) Howard of Bradenton, Florida and Lynn (Paul) Lauber of Collinsville, Illinois.

Also surviving are grandchildren Andrew (Rachel) Lauber, Rachel Lauber (David Mills), David (Ashley) Howard, Megan Rojo Valdez, Emily (Chris) Barnes, Alex Knippenberg, and Lily Knippenberg.  In addition, survivors include great-grandchildren, Diego, Valerie, Theodore, Rosemary, Evangeline, Lucy, Harper and Persephone; baby boy Lauber is due in July.   Shirley is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Daniel Utter (the late Donna), Mary Busse, Thomas (Marilyn) Utter, Timothy Utter, and Nancy Utter.

Shirley grew up at Hope Lutheran Church in St. Louis, where she was very active throughout her childhood and as a young adult.  After graduating from Cleveland High School, St. Louis, she attended secretarial school and had a successful career for seven years, until her marriage.  For the next 30 years, Shirley and Knipp raised their children and she volunteered in many activities at their schools and at their church, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, St. Louis.  Later, she and Knipp were members of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, St. Louis, and she spent the last 24 years of her life as a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Collinsville, Illinois.  Before moving to Illinois, Knipp and Shirley volunteered extensively for years at Feed My People food pantry in South County.

Shirley and Knipp moved to Meridian Village Senior Living Center in Glen Carbon, Illinois in 2000, where she enjoyed many years of being active and making friends.

Shirley will be remembered for her ready smile, positive attitude, and friendliness. Her greatest joy was sharing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  She fulfilled her childhood goal of becoming a missionary by faithfully sharing Christ with those in her circle of family, friends and acquaintances.

Visitation will be 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, IL.

Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Rev. Andrew Packer and Rev. William Engfehr officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Glen Carbon, IL.

Memorials are suggested to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or Feed My People Food Pantry in St. Louis, MO. Donations will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.