Shirley M. Hand
February 13, 2014
Shirley M. Hand, 92, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center, West Lakes. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 3, 2014 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:15 a.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Burial of her cremated remains will follow at Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Adel, Iowa at 11:00 a.m.
Shirley was born Shirley Atkins in Wellman, IA in 1921. She was a graduate of Broadlawns School on Nursing, where she served as Emergency Room Supervisor. She enlisted in the Navy on February 22, 1943 and served as Lieutenant in the Navy Nurse Corp in the Solomon Islands. She earned an Asiatic-Pacific ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon and Victory Ribbon. She married Thomas J. Hand on February 25, 1946, in Emmetsburg, IA. She and Tom followed his teaching/coaching career and lived in the following Iowa communities: Osceola, Clarion and Des Moines, IA. Shirley was a nurse at General and Mercy hospitals.
Shirley enjoyed time with her family, being a Boy Scout leader and a member of the St. John’s Basilica Altar and Rosary League. She enjoyed camping trips with her family, supporting her husband and son’s wrestling and football sports teams, playing bridge, and reading. She put family above all else.
Shirley resided at Illahee Hills in Urbandale, IA. She met many great people and made many friends with management and residents.
Shirley is survived by her children, Barbara (Joe) Mullahey, Thomas Hand, Michael Hand, and John Hand (Belle); grandchildren, Katey (Aaron) Olson, Joe Hand, Porter Hand, Jordan Hand, Joe (Josephine) Mullahey Jr., Matt Mullahey; and great-grandchild, Aliya Olson.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be donated in Shirley’s name to; Holy Family School, ARL, or Mercy Hospice. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Maxine Graham
03/02/2014
To the family of Shirley Hand: May it help to ease the pain you feel now, to know that others care and are thinking of you at this sad time. I did my Student Teaching under the expert tutelage of you, 'Barb.'
God Bless you and your family during this difficult time.
Maxine Graham
Larry C. Martindale
03/02/2014
Dear-Barb-Thomas-MIchael-John
Betty and I wish to convey our most sincere condolences to you and your family for the recent passing of your mother, Shirley. "Here come the Hands!" was a familiar expression as your family has always been so admired and noticed. Your father, Tom was one of my teachers at Irving Junior High and he often used examples about his family in his teaching and coaching. Your mom was always so supportive of not only her loving husband, but of each of you. She was a peach and so creditable as a loving mother and and as a Christian woman. She and Tom are now together in heaven and neither of them are suffering anymore but rejoiceing. Our thoughts and prayers will be with all of you in the days that lie ahead.
Michael Hand / Son
02/23/2014
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my Heart. Friends, and colleges and to all those that just knew her from a brief visit Thank You !
Cynthia Lynch Shor
02/22/2014
Dear Barbara and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your wonderful mother. May good memories comfort you and may the love of family and friends sustain you at this time.
The Gottl Family
02/20/2014
We are sorry for your loss. What a wonderful person-Semper Fi.
Tom & Linda Peacock
02/20/2014
It was a great pleasure to have known Shirley. No matter what problem she had she always asked how I was doing and had something positive to say.
She had a great sense of humor. She really seemed to enjoy life and made friends where ever she went. She will be missed.
Steve Keith
02/19/2014
Sorry for your loss. Brings back memories of our cub scout meetings at your house and football games in the yard with your dog (major ?). Miss the old days with your family. Good times even when we got in trouble. Will be thinking of all you guys.
Jon Turner
02/19/2014
My condolences to the family. Shirley never let an opportunity to talk about her children or grandchildren go by without letting us know the " whole" story. She was so proud of all you Hand family members. She and Tom raised a great family together. I count myself lucky to have known them both.
greg david
02/18/2014
Shirley was such an upbeat person most anytime I saw her. Always so caring about my family or friends. We sat together a HANDful of times in Merle Hay Mall over the years. Delightful woman and always fun to talk to.
She was a gem. My heart goes out to her.
David Polich
02/18/2014
Prayers and condolences from one of Tom's St. John's School classmates. May your mom rest in God's peace.
Jodi Tomlonovic
02/17/2014
My condolences on your loss of Shirley. I lived down the street from her on 40th. We had some great times talking about politics and supporting Democrats. She was a remarkable lady and I always enjoyed visiting with her. She will be missed.
Dana Vasey
02/17/2014
John, Barb, Mike and Tom,
Wow, where do you even begin to talk about Shirley Hand. What a unique individual. I have thought about her so many times over the years, especially when I pass the big blue house on the corner with t's towering trees. It never fails to provide a memory or a thought that always brings a smile.
A visit would begin when you walked into the kitchen and your mom would look over, flash her smile and turn all her attention to you. Then you'd start talking, and talking. Stories would fly and your mom would laugh. She had such an easy laugh and it made her eyes sparkle. I could talk to your mom all day long.
The summer often found Shirley outside. The Turtleman would pull into the driveway in the pink(ish) Studebaker truck, flying his Odd Fellows flag, and the two of them would kid each other and tell stories. They were just fun to be around.
I have so many fond memories of your family, and Shirley was one of a kind. She loved all of you so much and had such pride.
The world was a better, happier place because she lived, thank you for sharing her.
"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard" - Winnie the Pooh
Matt Angerer (sausage)
02/17/2014
Tom (always my captain) Mike & lil John, my sincere & deepest sympathy on yer loss! She's an example of why hers' is called "the greatest generation". Mike shared with me that she knew it was her time to go! May we all move to the next phase with such class. love you all & good work, Belle.
(Coach) Garland & Marlys Seibert
02/17/2014
Our sincere sympathy. We have good memories of your mother, also of your father. Being his assistant coach was a pleasant experience at East High as was coaching one of 'those Hand boys' at TRHS.
John Hand
02/17/2014
I enjoyed visiting with your parents when they came to Emmetsburg to visit Joe and Stella.
My deepest sympathy on your loss.