Shirley Riedesel age 88 of Lohrville passed away at The Good Samaritan Society in Manson, Iowa on Monday, May 27, 2024.  The funeral service is Monday, June 3, at The Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Lake City, Iowa, with a Visitation from 9:30 until the service starts at 10:30.  The burial will take place in the Lanesboro Cemetery.

Shirley Caroline was born April 17th, 1936 to Charlie "Chas" and Elma Clara Will Wrede on the family farm near Dayton, Iowa.  Her childhood was dedicated to family, church, and school.  On the farm, Shirley dutifully tended to the many ducks and geese.  At church she was active in the choir.  In the classroom, Shirley was regularly awarded for her academic achievements.  At Dayton High School she starred as a majorette in the marching band and as a cheerleader at basketball games.  Shirley was also class secretary, the editor of the "Tiger Times" student newspaper, sang in chorus, and participated in theater productions.

After graduating high school Shirley's father Charlie had a bank job lined up for her, but Shirley elected instead to elope with a Korean War Veteran she had met at a roller skating rink.  Shirley married Quentin Leon Riedesel of Lohrville in Holyoke, Colorado on June 2, 1954.  From there Shirley became a busy homemaker raising four daughters and feeding hired hands on the farm near Manson and later near Lohrville.  She was a master of the kitchen by all accounts.  Some of her best dishes included "rice pudding," pan-fried hamburgers, and rhubarb tart.

When Shirley wasn't busy helping around the farm, she developed many talents and hobbies.  Shirley was a self-taught organist, singing and playing such favorites as "Satin Doll" and "Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue." She also had quite the green thumb.  In the spring Shirley would plant extensive gardens and flower beds.  Throughout the summer she would care for wild birds and her many beloved barn cats.  Autumns were dedicated to picking sweet corn and canning relish.  After hosting family Thanksgivings, Quentin and Shirley spent many of their winters in a beautiful Phoenix trailer park.

She also excelled as a grandmother.  Shirley's grandchildren enjoyed flying kites, weenie roasts, and Scrabble contests.  Her other pastimes included photography, crosswords, "cryptoquote," sharing corny jokes, avoiding Quentin's airplanes, and watching Wheel of Fortune (Shirley would often solve the puzzle before Vanna spun any letters).  She may be most fondly remembered however, for her bedtime stories and lullabies such as The Velveteen Rabbit and "Playmate."

Shirley is survived by her husband, Quentin, her four daughters: Sheryl (Dale) Quiring, Carol (Lanny) Bauer, Renee Mosbach, and Roni Stott; two stepsons: Ralph Riedesel and Roger Riedesel; eight grandchildren: Hollee, Hillaree, James, Justin, Crystal, Chase, Colten, and Colin; seven great-grandchildren. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Elma and Chas; her siblings:  Clara Ann Becher, Geneve Carlon Wetherbee, Glenda Hayek, and Willis, in infancy.

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