Shirley Lois Knol Dyksterhouse age 88, died in Grand Rapids at Beacon Hill at Eastgate on April 6, 2019. Shirley was born in Holland, MI, to Guy and Marian King in April, 1930. She spent her childhood in southwest Michigan while her father managed Woolworth stores. When her dad completed seminary at Grand Rapids Baptist Bible Institute the family moved to Watersmeet, MI where he accepted the call to a small Hiawatha Baptist Missions church. Shirley spent her high school years there before attending the Grand Rapids Baptist Bible Institute, now Cornerstone University, where she earned a degree in Bible studies. While attending BBI, she caught the eye of Gerard "Jerry" Knol, whose father was president of the school. While visiting Shirley in Watersmeet over the 4th of July weekend in 1950, Jerry proposed and Shirley liked to say "I got my sparkler on the 4th of July"! They were married at Lake Dr. Baptist Church in October, 1950 with their fathers Rev. Guy King and Rev. Gerard Knol officiating. She is survived by her three children: Ruth Sutherland of Holland, MI and her children Jennifer Knol, Tiffany (Mark) Reifsnyder, Aimee Sutherland, Joy (Jake) Cipcic, and Allesha Sutherland; Janet (Jim) Southall of Palm Coast, FL and their children James and Emily; and Gerard "Jody" Knol of East Lansing, MI and his children Adria and Alivia. She is also survived by her brother Wendell (Faye) King, sister Mary Ellen Baker, sister-in-law Doris Knol, by 11 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and by her step-children Judy Graham, Joyce DenBleyker, Paul Dyksterhouse and their families.  She was pre-deceased by Gerard Knol, her second husband Rev. Jay Dyksterhouse, sister-in-law, Grace Knol, and daughter-in-law Aleda Knol. Shirley worked a variety of jobs during her lifetime including at Kregel's Bookstore, Grand Rapids Baptist College and for a seminar that encouraged strong Christian family relationships. She was organized, efficient and industrious in all she did. Shirley was also an excellent seamstress and taught sewing to 4-H students for many years. She loved entertaining people in her home and her children were introduced to people of many different cultures through houseguests from South Korea, Iran, homesick college students and numerous missionaries over the years.  Shirley had a lovely alto voice and sang duets with Jerry in church and sang in The Blessed Hope trio in college. She worked hard, endured trials including being robbed of her memory over the last years, and sacrificed much for her family's well-being.  Through it all, she had a delightful sense of humor and a love of adventure and having fun. Shirley could have been a model for the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 and truly "Her children arise up and call her Blessed". Funeral service will be held at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE, 11am Friday, April 12, Rev. Rich Verkaik presiding, with visitation 10-11 am prior to the service as well as Thursday, April 11, from 6 to 8 pm. The family is grateful for the loving care Shirley received from the staff at Beacon Hill. Gifts remembering Shirley's memory may be made to the Beacon Hill at Eastgate Benevolent Care Fund. 1919 Boston Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 beaconhillgr.org/foundation