Shirley Ann Losby

Shirley Ann Losby

Iowa City

Shirley Ann Losby, 90, passed away on January 12, 2026 after complications from a fall.

On Friday, January 16, a visitation at 9:00 am and funeral service at 10:00 am will both be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City. Lunch will be offered after the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, these organizations had great meaning for Shirley: Meals on Wheels of Johnson County (horizonsfamily.org) and the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation (supporticpl.org).

Shirley (nee Camp) was born in Clinton, IA on August 3, 1935, the daughter of Loretta Louise Camp (nee Dietz) and Harry George Camp. She was raised on a farm and graduated high school in Preston, IA in 1953. She then graduated as a Registered Nurse from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids, IA in 1956. In her career as a Labor and Delivery Nurse she worked in Illinois, Michigan, Connecticut, Italy, Germany, and Florida.

Shirley met the love of her life, Harold M. Losby, in high school in Preston, IA and they married on March 9, 1958 in Preston, IA at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Shirley lived all over the world as Harold served in the U.S. Navy for 36 years—soon after marrying they moved to Yokosuka, Japan, and from there they transferred to Lansing, MI; then Honolulu, HI; San Francisco and San Diego, CA; Preston, IA; Ledyard, CT; and Naples, Italy. After Harold’s retirement they lived in Wurzburg, Germany and Jacksonville, FL and eventually retired in Iowa City, IA in 2006. Shirley was always eager to meet new people in every place she lived and explore her new community. Her beautiful smile and genuine kindness endeared her to everyone she met. Shirley was a dedicated letter writer and maintained friendships for decades through her beautifully hand-written notes and cards.

Shirley and Harold were adventurous travelers going to all 50 states and 25 countries—a highlight of which was celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary with the entire family in Alaska. Shirley was a voracious reader and lifelong learner—earning her B.S. degree from the University of Maryland overseas division in 1992. She had a great joy for crossword puzzles, family Scrabble games, sewing, quilting, baking, flowers, gardening, walking, and swimming. She shared her love of baking and sewing with her children and grandchildren. She was a 4-H leader for 5 years in Preston, IA. She volunteered with the Meals on Wheels of Johnson County for 10 years. She was a trombonist and drum majorette in her high school marching band, and later resumed playing the trombone in her 70s and performed with the Iowa City New Horizons Band. Shirley was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and was an active volunteer in their Quilting Group for 6 years, making quilts for families in need around the world.

Shirley was a loving and warm-hearted wife, mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and neighbor. She brought happiness, fun, and excitement to the lives of everyone she met. Her boundless stamina, resilience, and positive outlook on life was inspirational. She was compassionate, considerate, and caring of others at home, at work, and in her community. She was a hands-on and engaged Oma (grandmother) – she played, she read, she attended dance recitals, sporting events, and regularly went to University of Iowa Homecoming Parades.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 67 years, Harold M. Losby and their three children Lynn Losby and spouse William Meinert, Michael Losby and spouse Kathy, and Jan Losby; three grandchildren, Morgan Schulz (nee Meinert) and spouse Jake, Marina Finehout (nee Meinert) and spouse Zack, and Catalina Losby; great-granddaughter Carmen Finehout; her siblings Donna Heckmann, Pat Dale, and Gene Camp; and sisters-in-law Marcia Camp and Joyce Camp.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Victor Camp and Bernice Michaels (nee Camp), and her son-in-law Douglas Meloche.

Shirley will be forever loved, deeply missed, and always remembered by her family and friends.