Shirley Mae (Fuchs) Duster

Shirley Mae (Fuchs) Duster

Cedar Rapids

Shirley Mae (Fuchs) Duster, born May 19, 1935, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed from earth to heaven on Sept. 17, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

Shirley met John Duster in kindergarten at Immaculate Conception school in Cedar Rapids. They were friends at school, eventually falling in love and graduating in 1953.

John entered the Army and they were married at the Fort Smith Army Base in Arkansas, including his tour of duty in Germany. They moved to Finkbine in

Iowa City, Iowa, where John went to the University of Iowa. This young family returned to Cedar Rapids where John started his career with Collins Radio and Shirley raised their family of four children. Shirley went to work at Sears when their kids were older and had a wonderful, rewarding career for 20 years before retiring.

After John and Shirley retired, they traveled the

world. They enjoyed their trips to China, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Mexico, Canada and traveled the U.S. They loved their trips together and created memories and stories that lasted their lifetime. They hosted the best parties and holidays and loved to entertain. They enjoyed cards and Shirley played to the end.

Shirley started volunteering at Mercy Hospital the year she retired from Sears in 1992. When they weren’t traveling, she was at the hospital helping and spreading her love. When Shirley got the terminal diagnosis that would change her life, she was insistent that she would volunteer at the hospital until she passed. She worked there the week before God called her home!

John and Shirley raised four wonderful children who survived her in death: Deb (David) Secor, Ron Duster, Sherryl Duster, and Pam (Jim) O’Neill. She also was blessed with her grandchildren, Allyn (Jill Lorenzen) Secor, Adam (Ashley Grafton) Secor, Mike

and Heather O’Neill, Lisa O’Neill, and Bill (Leslie) Lakeman. Her time with her great-grandchildren, Ayla and Skye Secor and Zoey and Penny O’Neill, brought out the child in her. Her greatest joy was spending time and sharing stories with her precious family. Her greatest gift was her unconditional love for family and life and showing by example how to be a healthy and loving parent.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mabel Fuchs, and her brother, Leonard (Nita) Fuchs. Her surviving sisters, Rosemary Horak and Linda (Bill) Coates, were able to say their goodbyes before she passed.

The family has entrusted Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services with the arrangements. Per her wishes, she had a small family burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and will lay in eternal peace with her lifelong love, John. Please share your memories and support with Shirley’s family on her Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries

.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Mercy Foundation, 701 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403; Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 857 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403; or the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.

We cherished Shirley's high energy, most amazing life and our memories we made together. We know Shirley is wrapped in Dad’s love in heaven and will watch over us until we meet again. Together, forever, amen.