Shirley Doris (Sensenig) Staudt

Shirley Doris (Sensenig) Staudt, 93, formerly of Reading, Pennsylvania; Dike, Iowa; and Myerstown, Pennsylvania, passed away Oct. 3, 2025, at the McLeod Hospice House in Florence, South Carolina, where she had resided since 2017.

She was born July 13, 1932, in Spring Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Norman Palm and Bertha K. (Brendle) Sensenig. Her grandparents were Walter and Susan (Palm) Sensenig and Zacharias and Elizabeth (Reichert) Brendle.

She was the wife of Calvin Charles Staudt, Sr. and they were married June 12, 1954 at St. John's (Hain's) United Church of Christ in Wernersville, Pennsylvania and celebrated their 70th anniversary in 2024.

Shirley was a descendant of Jacob Sensenig and Maria Krey, a Mennonite family from Switzerland settling in Pennsylvania in the early 1700s and Johann Heinrich Brendel and Anna Barbara Auerwasser. The Brendels arrived in 1738 from Alsace, France.

Shirley graduated from Wilson High School in 1950 and worked for the next 4 years for United Gas Improvement in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Shirley led a full and active life raising her four children. She was active in many church activities with the Fredsville Lutheran Church Women's Circle. Shirley was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron of Cedar Falls Chapter #78. She was integral in helping Calvin Sr. run their farm. She worked for several years at the Midwest Turkey Hatchery in Dike, Iowa. Shirley enjoyed sewing and quilting and will long be remembered for her quick sense of humor and wonderful meals and baking, especially her chocolate cake with vanilla frosting.

Shirley is survived by two sons: Calvin C. (Karla) Staudt, Jr., and Pernell N. (Paula) Staudt; a daughter, Paige A. (Steve) Cuellar; grandchildren: Kaitlin Staudt (Michael Polczynski), Rachel (Michael) Badger, Connor Cuellar, Owen Staudt, Hailey Cuellar, and August Staudt, and step-grandson, Christopher (Torey) Cuellar; great-grandchildren: Carter Badger, Kinga Polczynski-Staudt, Cyril Badger, Anatol Polczynski-Staudt, and Adelaide Badger; and step-great-grandchildren, Wes and Reese Cuellar. Also surviving are her sisters-in-law Mrs. Jean Staudt and Sandra Staudt (John Wallace), and brother-in-law Curtis (Joan) Staudt.

She was predeceased by her husband, Calvin C. Staudt Sr., daughter, Brenda S. Staudt; grandson, Evan Staudt; her parents; siblings Hayden (Marion) Sensenig, LaVerne (Harold) Reese, Sr., Marguerite "Dolly" (Chester) Davis, and Norman "Juney" (Barbara) Sensenig, Jr. Also predeceasing Shirley are her brothers-in-law: Kenneth Staudt, Bryan (Ardelle) Staudt, and sister-in-law: Geneva (Carl) Brune.

A joint memorial will be held for Calvin and Shirley on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at St. John's (Hain's) UCC located at 591 N. Church Rd., Wernersville, Pennsylvania. Memorial service will start at 10:30 a.m. followed by burial in the church cemetery. Visitation and lunch to follow in the Hain's Church Social Room. Guests are invited to stay and reminisce with the family through the afternoon.

Memorials may be made to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Fund through the "Give to Iowa" website or a charity of your choice.