Shirley M. (Neyen) Ahmann 1935-2014

AHMANN, NEYEN, GRAF, THIMOTE, COLEMAN, PINS, SHAW, LINK, SHEA, KOERPERICH, DREES, BOGE

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 2/4/2015 at 22:35:09

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Saturday, August 9, 2014

EPWORTH, Iowa - Shirley M. Ahmann, 79, of Farley, entered heaven on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, at 6:17 p.m. at Shady Rest Care Center in Cascade, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with an extended illness.

Friends and relatives of Shirley may call from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, at Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, where a wake service will be held at 3 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at St. Clement's Catholic Church in Bankston, with the Rev. Michael Schueller presiding. Burial will be held in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Farley.

Shirley was born Jan. 26, 1935, in Dubuque, daughter of Albert and Philomenia (Graf) Neyen. She graduated from St. Clement's High School in Bankston, class of 1954, where she was a proud member of the girls basketball team.

Shirley was united in marriage to Clarence "Jim" Ahmann on June 16, 1959, at St. Clement's Catholic Church in Bankston. He preceded her in death on Dec. 7, 2010. Together they raised six children and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2009.

Shirley worked for many years in the local school lunch program. She welcomed the students each day with a cheerful smile and enjoyed watching those same students graduate and start families of their own.

Family and friends were Shirley's love and joy. She grew up in Graf, and later Bankston, Iowa, with her seven siblings.

She particularly treasured and enjoyed sharing her childhood memories regarding her family and her time spent at St. Clement's School. Shirley had a fondness for genealogy and spent many hours scrapbooking her family's achievements.

Shirley looked forward to welcoming family and friends into her home, where a spirited game of cards, or a lively conversation were always sure to be found. She was a devoted fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, St. Louis Cardinals and stock car racing.

Shirley's strong love of family was evident her entire life. She took great pleasure in following her children's and grandchildren's hobbies and reveled in their accomplishments.

As a caring mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, her memory will live on forever in our hearts. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."

Those left to cherish her memory are her six children, Dennis "George" Ahmann, of Farley, David Ahmann (Shawn Ching), of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Dianne and Fritz Robert Thimote, of Dubuque, Daniel "Fritz" Jennifer Ahmann, of Farley, Duane "Nutsy" (Crystal) Ahmann, of Epworth, Donald "Honker" (Lindsay) Ahmann, of Farley; five grandchildren, Jenna Coleman, Hailey and Derek Ahmann, Megan Ahmann and Ryan Robert Thimote; a sister, Duanne (Ambrose) Pins, of Epworth; a brother, Albert Neyen, of Bankston; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ann and Reece Shaw, of Dubuque, Nancy Link-Dolphin, of Farley, Mary Ahmann, of Dubuque, Jean Ann Neyen, of Farley, Donna Mae Neyen-Shea, of Dubuque, Gene Ahmann, Jerry Drees and Eldon Koerperich, all of Farley; and many nieces and nephews.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, William, Robert and Gary Neyen; two sisters, Carol Neyen and Bev Drees; her father and mother-in-law, Clem and Marie Ahmann, Joan and John Ahmann; brother and sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Kathleen Boge, Joseph Link, Dallas Dolphin and Helen Ahmann.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Shady Rest Care Center, Cascade and Hospice of Dubuque especially Edna, for all of their extraordinary care and kindness.