Shirley Johnson, age 84, of Marathon, Iowa died Monday, January 25, 2016 at the Spencer Municipal Hospital in Spencer, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City. Burial will follow in the Poland Township Cemetery in Marathon. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements.

Shirley Jane Mullins, was born on September 1, 1931, at the farm north of Marathon, Iowa, to Sherman and Edith (Smith) Mullins. She lived her youth in the Marathon vicinity and graduated from the Marathon High School in 1949. Shirley was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Marathon.

On October 8, 1948, Shirley was united in marriage to Eugene Johnson in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This marriage was blessed with two children: Rosemary and David. They were together for 67 years and farmed near Marathon for over 50 years. Shirley was proud of the farm becoming a Century Farm as she had enjoyed working in the fields and was equally proud of her yard, especially her flowers, both outside and inside. She enjoyed making wooden lawn ornaments and painting them, in addition to crocheting and other handwork. Shirley and Eugene went to many dances and car races over the years. She was very fond of dogs, especially dachshunds and labs, and raised many dogs along with some great strays. Shirley passed her love of dogs onto her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Shirley is lovingly remembered by her family which include her husband, Eugene of Marathon, Iowa; children: Rosemary (Pete) Norgaard of Dickens, Iowa; and David (Becky) Johnson of Spencer, Iowa; grandchildren: Laurie (Brian) Brueggeman, Angelique Norgaard (friend, Dan Claus), Zechariah (Tina) Norgaard, Megan Johnson, Kaye (Adam) Rickman; great grandchildren: Brianne Bailey (fiancé, Derek Riewe), Samantha and Miranda Brueggeman, Tori Adams, Storm and Izak Norgaard; step granddaughters: Diana (Blake) Ward and Sara (Ben) Schoo; great-great granddaughter, Tynley Rose Riewe; sisters-in-law: Vera Klindt, Dolores Sierck, and Nylene Jones; brother-in-law, Ronald (Sandy) Johnson; nieces, nephews, other extended family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Gladys Chapman; sister-in-law, Ina Sheets; brothers-in-law: Kenneth Chapman, Howard Sheets, Bob Sierck, Harold Klindt and Gordon Jones; and great grandson, Miles Norgaard.

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