Theobald, Shirley

Shirley Theobald, 88, of Oelwein, died Sunday, March 18, 2012. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 22, at Sacred Heart Church, Oelwein, with the Rev. Harry Koelker officiating. Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Geilenfeld Funeral Home, Oelwein, with parish Scripture services at 6:30 p.m.

Shirley was born in Burlington, Iowa, February 7, 1924, the daughter of Harold G. and Florence (Johnson) Streight. Shirley graduated from Oelwein High School in 1942 and married Tom Theobald, June 23, 1942, at Sacred Heart, Oelwein, Iowa. Shirley and Tom would have celebrated their 70th anniversary this June.

She is survived by her husband, Tom Theobald of Oelwein; four children, Cindy (Larry) Lundry of Oelwein, Ann (Gordon) Young of Aurora, Colo., Tom (Laura) Theobald of Arvada, Colo., and David (Cindy) Theobald of Woodstock, Ill.; and a special niece, Patty Shay of Brooklyn, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Shirley was primarily a homemaker, although she worked part-time for many years doing alterations for men's clothing stores in Oelwein. She loved sewing, knitting, baking, decorating and playing bridge. Shirley was an avid reader, a trait she passed to her children and many of her grandchildren. When her children were young she volunteered as a Den Mother, CCD instructor and was active in P.T.A. She was a member of Tuesday Tourists, Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and the Sacred Heart Rosary Society. She served Sacred Heart for a number of years as Sacristan, in charge of caring for altar linens and vestments. Shirley was the first woman to become a lector at Sacred Heart and became coordinator for the lector program. She organized the first Mardi Gras at Sacred Heart and was pleased to see it continue. She was a founding member of the Cupboard consignment shop in Oelwein. She was a proud member of the 1990 Polar Bear Club at the Oelwein Pool. Shirley served as chairwoman for the Crippled Children's Clinic for 25 years and also volunteered at Mercy many years ago as a switchboard operator and more recently conducting Sittercize classes at Mercy Living Plus.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Christopher; her sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Harry Shay; and her sister, Joan Fields.

Published in The Gazette March 20, 2012.