Sherry Zietlow

Celebration of Life Services: Will be held on Friday, May 11, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, 4300 Beaver Avenue, in Des Moines with a family visitation and reception from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church. There will also be a Celebration of Life Service held on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle with burial in the Avondale Cemetery and a luncheon and family visitation following burial at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Family Visitation: Will be held on Friday, May 11, 2012, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, 4300 Beaver Avenue in Des Moines.

Memorials: To the Sherry Zietlow Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date in care of the Steen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 390, Greenfield, Iowa 50849.

Sherry Lee Zietlow passed away on May 2, 2012, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines following a two-year battle with ovarian cancer. A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 pm, Friday, May 11, at Zion Lutheran Church at 4300 Beaver Avenue in Des Moines, which will be followed by a luncheon and family visitation. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 12 at 10:30 am at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, IA with internment following at Avondale Cemetery. A luncheon and family visitation will follow, back at Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Sherry was born on July 29, 1943 at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines and adopted by Wilber and Rephea Steward of Fontanelle ten days later. She attended Washington Number 6 country school through eighth grade, graduated from Bridgewater-Fontanelle High School and Wartburg College with a degree in elementary education.

She taught lower elementary throughout her teaching career. For many years she chose to stay home to raise her children. She then resumed teaching until her retirement from Johnston Schools in 2006. She also spent many hours volunteering at church.

Sherry is survived by her husband, Paul Zietlow of Urbandale; two daughters, Kerri (Blake) Hardy of Adel and Jill (Michael) Philby of Sully; five grandchildren, Noah Hicks of Ames, Jacob Hardy of Adel, Rachel Hardy of Adel, Samuel Philby of Sully, and Leah Philby of Sully; her mother, Rephea Steward of Fontanelle; and her best friend and dog, Heidi, who visited in the hospital; as well as many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Wilber Steward; mother-in-law, Evelyn Westphal; father-in-law, Herman Zietlow; and step father-in-law, Keith Westphal.

Sherry was the best wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and friend that any of us could have ever wished for. Her beauty, grace, and love of the Lord and all people shone throughout her daily life. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, reading, shopping, and decorating for holidays, as well as enhancing the lives of children at school and at church. She loved her dogs who were her constant companions.

Memorials should be directed to Zion Lutheran Church in Des Moines or to Avondale Methodist Church in Fontanelle. Online condolences can be directed to www.caringbridge.org/visit/sherryzietlow.