Spicher, Shirley Ann

Shirley Ann Spicher, 71, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo following a brief illness.A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton, with the Rev. Dr. Judith Bunyi officiating, assisted by the Rev. Tricia Jacobs of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Waterloo. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton and also one hour before the service Wednesday at the church. Interment will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Vinton.

Shirley was born Sept. 20, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Donald C. and Ella Mae McNeal Holst. As a young girl, she was a member of the Rainbow Girls, 4-H and Girl Scouts. Her elementary education started in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Vinton and continued at West Elementary School. She graduated from Washington High School in Vinton in 1959 and attended Iowa State Teachers College from 1959 until 1960.

On Aug. 14, 1960, Shirley was united in marriage with Charles E. Spicher at the Vinton Presbyterian Church.

Shirley worked as a clerk in the card department at Feller's Dime Store in Vinton. She later provided child care in her home.

Growing up, Shirley attended church at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton. She had most recently been a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was a Bible School and Sunday school teacher, was a member of the Altar Guild and was a member of the women's Circle.

Shirley enjoyed reading, shopping, collecting Boyd's Bears and crafts. She was a caregiver for her mother and mother-in-law, and she loved spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren. She and Charles square danced with three different clubs and she also served as a leader for 4-H and Cub Scouts.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 52 years, Charles E. Spicher of Waterloo/Cedar Falls; one son, Steve (Connie) Spicher of Vinton; two daughters, Shelly L. (Warren) Riley of Bettendorf and Holly A. (Brian) Boerhave of Cedar Falls; one brother, Dr. Donald C. (Merilee) Holst of Fontana, Wis.; and seven grandchildren, Erin (Daniel) Spicher Swan, Emily Spicher, Dionne and Abbey Riley and Sarah, Rebekah and Benjamin Boerhave.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1301 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, IA 50702; or to the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Shirley and her family.

Condolences may be left at .

Published in The Gazette Jan. 22, 2013.