Shirley M. Harrold, age 98, of Palmer, passed away Monday, November 4, 2024, at the Pocahontas Community Hospital in Pocahontas, Iowa.

Shirley Mary Keleher was born on December 7, 1925, near Palmer, Iowa. She was the daughter of John and Edna (Peters) Keleher. Shirley was educated in country schools and St. Mary's Catholic School in Pomeroy before attending Palmer High School, where she graduated in 1942 as class valedictorian. She went on to attend business school in Fort Dodge, and worked at the Palmer State Bank. On February 12, 1949, Shirley was united in marriage to Owen Harrold at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Palmer. The couple settled on the family farm near Palmer, where Shirley was an active partner in all aspects of farming life. Owen passed away in 2014 and Shirley continued to stay at her home on the farm.

Shirley was a member of the Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church, the Catholic Ladies Society and the C.D. of A. She was also active in the AmVets Auxiliary and the Missionary Ladies Society and bridge club. She was also dedicated to the Right to Life group. Shirley was a devoted wife and mother, an excellent cook, homemaker and seamstress. Her ability to prepare large family meals, while making it seem routine, was legendary. She was a woman wordsmith, loved reading and was a master Scrabble player, rarely losing a game.

Survivors include her children, Greg Harrold of Minocqua, WI; Susan (Joseph) Harrold-Walding of Sioux City; James Harrold of Palmer; Mary Lynn (Mark) Pishek of Dakota Dunes, SD; and Jean (Ken) Harrold-Loberg of Wayne, NE; 16 grandchildren, Nathan (Amber) Harrold, Ben (JoLin) Harrold, Kylie (Shawn Moulton) Harrold, Eliza (Jeff Lindholm) Harrold, Shawn (Rachel) Walding, Erin (Russ) Walding-Heitman, Megan (Ryan) Soper, Monica (Mike Presiado) Walding, Nick Harrold, Whitney (Bill) Schmitt, Peter (Elizabeth) Webb, Justin Webb, Colin Loberg, Emma (Daniel) Cano Loberg, Anna (David) DeRoos, Maura Loberg and 26 great grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Owen; sisters, Naida Benson, Lois O'Connell, Mary Lou Korte; brother, Keith Keleher; son-in-law, Dick Nettleton and daughter-in-law, Shirley Harrold.

In Lieu of flowers, Shirley's family requests that

memorials be made in her name to:

the Pocahontas Catholic School.