Shirley Jean Elwood, the daughter of Eldon and Edna (Pearl) Colvin was born October 7, 1935 in rural Montgomery County, Iowa. She passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 80 years, 3 months and 30 days.

Shirley was raised on a farm near Nyman. Shirley attended Red Oak High School where she was a cheerleader and the homecoming queen, graduating with the class of l954. After graduation, she worked at JCPenny's in Omaha before being united in marriage to Marvin Elwood on August 17, 1957 in Red Oak, Iowa. Shirley worked at Eveready and Safeway in Red Oak as well as helping Marvin on the farm. She then worked as a cook at Stanton High School for ten years and then cooked at Inman Elementary School seven more. Shirley loved to quilt, bake rye bread, sometimes baking for different restaurants, making ceramics even using her own kiln. She also collected Boyds Bears and enjoyed traveling to California, Branson every year with the girls, and to Hawaii for her and Marvin's 25th wedding anniversary. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Birthday Club, and past 4-H leader of the Peppy Farmettes.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marvin on March 27, 1997; and brother-in-law, Melvin Howard.

Shirley is survived by children: Jean Stribling and husband Steve of Shenandoah, IA; Jane Ketcham of Shenandoah, IA; Mark Elwood and wife Amy of Stanton, IA; grandchildren: Jill Visty and husband Chad; Jodie Hogue and husband Devin; Ashley Schrader and husband Brad; Todd Ketcham and wife Dawn; Nathan Elwood and wife Kristi; Jena Bowers and husband Zach; Macy Elwood and Jamie Stribling; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters: Darlene Beck and husband Don of Santa Ana, CA; Pauline Chadwell of Omaha, NE, and Bev Mirts and husband Gene of Red Oak, IA; sister-in-law, Carol Howard of Creston, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Funeral Service will be held
Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.
At First United Methodist Church, Red Oak, IA
Burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, IA
Rev. Pastor Fred Pilecki, Officiating

Visitation with the family present, Wednesday evening from 6-8 P.M. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home.

Memorials to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, or the Alzheimer's Association .

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.