Shirley Ann Klier

It is with heavy hearts the family of Shirley Ann Palmer Klier announce her passing on September 5, 2021.

Shirley was born February 23, 1934 to Gladys Grylls Palmer and Oren Drakely Palmer. When Shirley was very young, her parents divorced. Gladys later married Angelo “Mike” Oliver (Oliveri) whom Shirley called and loved him as dad. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School Des Moines – Class of 1952. She worked at Northwestern Bell as a toll circuit layout records clerk in Des Moines Engineering Dept.

Shirley married her high school sweetheart, James F. Klier on April 5, 1953. They were blessed with six children, Angela Marie, Frank Kevin, James Bryan, Suzanne Michelle, Julie Ann and Michael Patrick. She was a stay at home - on the go, mother. From the time the oldest was born until the youngest started school. Shirley was super busy with baseball and softball games, PTA functions, school activities and church activities for her growing family. When the youngest Michael started school, she got a job as secretary of St. Anthony’s School. Later she was a teacher’s associate at Nathan Weeks Middle School.

Shirley and Jim were married for 42 years before his passing in 1995. She loved shopping, reading and movies. Shirley loved to cook and would feed anyone that stopped over. Big family get-togethers were her specialty. She made the holidays special with her Flair for decorating.

Sadly, Shirley developed dementia/Alzheimer’s and lived her last years at Parkridge Care Center in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.

The family would like to thank the Parkridge Care Center Staff and Dr. Deanna Questad for their tremendous care of Shirley.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; daughter, Angela; and granddaughters, Stephanie Pecora and Kimberly Young.

Shirley is survived by her children, Frank Klier and wife Lucy of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, James Klier and wife Colette of Newton, Suzanne Umphfleet and husband Michael of Des Moines, Julie Bannor and husband Tommie in Altoona and Michael Klier and wife Susan of Des Moines;
grandchildren, Ryan (Alyssa) Young, Aaron (Megan) Young, Patty (Johnny) Bucklin, Jim (Meghan) Klier, Katie (Josh) Close, Frank (Allison) Klier, Jr., Shirley Ann Klier, Jim Klier, Jr., Sara Umphfleet, SSGT Matthew Umphfleet, USAF, Jessie (Stacy) Bannor, Ryan Bannor, Nicholas Bannor, Cassie (Matt) DeWitt, Jacob Klier and Nick Klier;
grandson-in-law, Phillip Pecora;
great-grandchildren, Nolan, Coralee, Dylan, Daniel, Dominic, George, Evy, Ellie, Alexys, Wolfie, Emily, Ethan, Eli, Eric, Kaeden and Chelsea;
brother, Michael (Judy) Oliver of West Des Moines;
sister, Linda “Sissy” McCleary of Ora Valley, AZ;
brother-in-law, Jerry (LaVerne) Klier of Walker, LA;
and a host of extended family and friends.

The family will greet friends Monday, September 13, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 2566 Scotch Ridge Road in Carlisle, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 14th at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Shirley will be laid to rest at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Carlisle Dollars for Scholars or Saint Elizabeth Seton Building Fund in loving memory of Shirley.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print