Shirley L. Rowley

Shirley Lucille Wood-Rowley passed through the gates of Heaven on May 31, 2023. Shirley was born in Rockport, Missouri to Thomas Cecil Lingerfelt and Esther Lucille (Chastain) Lingerfelt.

Throughout her childhood, she lived in a variety of places, finally landing in Atlantic,Iowa. It was there that she met her husband, Timothy James Wood, SR. Tim and Shirley married in 1952 at St Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines. Together they raised 9 children, Maureen (Richard) Wolfe, Timothy James Wood JR, Linda (Michael) Cress, Joe (Julie) Wood, Elizabeth Marchant, Michael (Carol) Wood, Teresa Oliver, Sean (Heather) Wood and Shirley (Michael) Stalker, 12 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and one great great grandson.

In addition to raising 9 children, Shirley was a member of the Catholic Ladies Altar Society, the Red Hat Society, taught catechism classes and took both guitar and art lessons. She loved listening to country music, her favorite being Don Williams, she enjoyed planting flowers (especially her rose bushes) and making clothes for her children. Later in life she worked at Grandma Max’s Restaurant in Bosselman’s Truck Stop in Altoona.

Her most precious gift was her family and she always tried to let them know how special they were to her. She loved planning little surprises for both her children and husband and strived to make each individual birthday and holiday a very special occasion. She enjoyed visiting her mom in Rockport, MO and spending time with the numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchild God blessed her with. One of her favorite times of year was Christmas, when she could gather with many of her children, grandchildren, great and great great grandchildren; always making sure that each child had a Christmas gift to open. She taught the children the true meaning of the season, by making a birthday cake for Jesus and gathering the children to sing Happy Birthday Jesus. Birthdays were another special occasion for her and she always made sure everyone got a birthday card each year.

After the passing of her husband, Tim, she found love again with Harold Dean Rowley and they wed on August 19, 2003. Shirley and Dean enjoyed planting flowers in their yard, sitting outside to listen to the birds, spending time with their families and traveling to Arizona in the winter.

Preceding her in death were her parents, siblings Bob Lingerfelt and Geri (Lingerfelt) Waltz, both spouses, one son, Timothy James Wood, JR and two infant grandchildren, Carter Westergreen and Kayleigh Westergreen.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at Ss. John and Paul Catholic Church, Altoona, Iowa beginning with a Rosary at 9:00 a.m., followed by a viewing at 9:30 a.m., and Mass at 10:30 a.m., Graveside services will follow Mass at Altoona Cemetery.

Shirley’s family has requested that monetary contributions be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association in her honor.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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