Obituary of Shakira Ostwinkle

Survivors include her parents, John and Lynette Ostwinkle of Dyersville, 2 sisters: Kimshiro Benton of Dyersville and Tiffany Benton of Sacramento, CA; a brother, Jeff (Paula) Ostwinkle of Dubuque, 2 nephews: Cody Gardner and Jared Ostwinkle, her grandparents, Jim and Lauretta Turner and Richard and Anita Northrup and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Clema Ostwinkle, and her grandparents, Leo and Doris Ostwinkle. Shakira was born in Calcutta, India on July 31, 1984. She joined the family of John Ostwinkle in September of the same year. Shakira graduated from Western Dubuque High School in 2002. She was a dedicated volunteer minister and member of the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Dyersville. Shakira was continuing her education in web page design, and was self-employed as a web page designer. Shakira loved traveling, cooking with her family, photography, reading and spending time with her many friends and family members. She was a gentle young woman who always had a smile and kind word for everyone. Since the age of four, Shakira was a competitive and ferocious card player who delighted in trouncing her opponents. She had a strong sense of justice and always stood up for what she thought was right. Shakira was compassionate and loved people and animals, especially her dogs Roxie and Gracie and her cat Mercury. Shakira's love and smile brightened the days of all who knew her. Her positive outlook on life was based on her belief of living forever on a paradise earth without suffering and death. Her family and friends look forward to laughing with her again when: "Death is swallowed up forever. Death, where is your victory? Death where is your sting?" -1 Corinthians 15:55. The family would like to thank Dr. Snyder and the emergency room nurses and staff of the Dyersville hospital who tried so hard to keep Shakira with her family. We also would like to thank all of our family and friends for their unstinting love, support and prayers.