Shover, Frances Dolores

Frances Dolores Shover, 89, of Delhi, died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, at Regional Medical Center in Manchester.

Frances was born Feb. 28, 1923, in Hazel Green Township, Delaware County, the daughter of Larence and Fern (Mason) Davis. She attended rural Delaware County and Buck Creek schools.

Frances worked on the family farm one mile north of the Golden Church and at Becker Grocery Store in Manchester. On April 2, 1941, Frances was united in marriage to James R. Shover. They farmed and worked very well together until his death on July 9, 1986. On Aug. 4, 1989, Frances married John T. Wilson and he died in September 1995.

Frances had a tremendous work ethic and enjoyed caring for animals, tending to their large garden and orchard, plus baking and cooking. She kept the farm books and set a good example to her children and those around her in honesty, fairness, humor, compassion, and love.

She maintained interest and stayed active on the farm as long as she could and lived on the farm from 1941 until her death.

Frances was an active lifelong member of Golden Congregational Church, rural Ryan, and served as a deacon, treasurer, Sunday school teacher, on several groups and committees, cleaned, sang, cooked and lived Jesus' command to “love one another.”

Frances also served as treasurer of the Golden Cemetery Association, chairman of the Union Township election board, was a 4-H booster, supported 4-H scholarships and awards, was an honorary member of Delaware County 4-H and was an Iowa State Friend of 4-H.

Jim and Frances were Iowa Master Pork Producers, active Farm Bureau members and enjoyed square dancing.

Frances was very supportive of her family's community service and loved visiting with family and friends by letter, phone, and gatherings.

Survivors include her four children, Charlene Kehrli Jacobson (Dennis Kostman) of Cedar Falls, Jim (Joyce) Shover of Hopkinton, Larry (Nancy) Shover of Delhi and Shirley Helmrichs of Manchester; seven grandchildren, Ken (Kathy) Kehrli, Chad (Karen) Kehrli, Todd (Nickole) Shover, Jim R. Shover, Jenny (Brian) Pettlon, Harmony Helmrichs and Jamie Helmrichs; 16 great-grandchildren, Kyle Kehrli, Kayla (Michael) Gallup, Kendra, Keegan and Keeley Kehrli, Alex, Emma and Caleb Kehrli, Alyssa Feldmann, Jim E. , Jack, Sam and Luke Shover, R.J., Jada and Janaeyah Helmrichs; one sister, Dorothy (Joe) Hoffmann of Manchester; a sister-in-law, Roberta Chrystal of Marion; and Richard, Shirley, Rick and Bob Everding.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, James R. “Jim” Shover and John T. Wilson; a son-in-law, Gary “Otis” Helmrichs; two grandsons, Jeremy and Jerald Shover; one great-grandson, Kollin Kehrli; six siblings, Ingle (Alice) Davis, Isola (Red) White, Mabel (Al) Kaufman, Matilda Davis, Mildred (John T.) Wilson and Kent Davis; and in-laws, Irene (Herb) Locke, Lucille (Art) Hallett, Pearl (Karl) Zumbach and Harold Chrystal.

Online condolences may be sent to .

Visitation. 1 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester and one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday.

Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Golden Congregational Church, rural Ryan, with Pastor Mary C. Taylor officiating. Interment: Golden Congregational Cemetery, rural Ryan.

Published in The Gazette Jan. 8, 2013.