Toussaint, Shelby Jean Lancaster (1939-2011)

TOUSSAINT, LANCASTER, PETERSON, LENTZ

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 11/30/2023 at 06:19:33

Soderstrum Reimers Funeral Home
Jewell, Iowa

It is with great sadness that our beloved Shelby passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2011. She is now reunited with her husband Jim; her son Marty Von; her parents Allen and Aletha; her stepfather Elmer Peterson; and her brother Don; all who preceded her in death. She married Jim Toussaint on October 11, 1959 in Dows, Iowa. To this union two sons, Bradley James and Marty Von, were born. Shelby was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Shelby Jean Lancaster Toussaint was born August 20, 1939 in Blairsburg, Iowa to William Allen and Aletha (Lentz) Lancaster. She was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Dows and graduated Dows High School in 1957. Shelby attended Iowa State Teachers College where she was a member of Delta Delta Phi Sorority. After graduating from Cosmetology School in Des Moines, she began her career in her Beauty/Barber shop in Ellsworth, from which she retired after 29 years. After retiring, she began volunteering at Mary Greeley Medical Center in different areas such as catering and seasonal decorating. She very much enjoyed the hospital work family. Shelby also volunteered at First United Methodist Church in their Food at First meals program. She spent her life lending a helping hand to others, always lovingly sharing her heart, knowledge, and talents. Shelby had many hobbies and interests. She became an auctioneer, ham radio operator KAOWRQ, enjoyed doing taxidermy, floral design, calligraphy, painting, knitting and crocheting, as she loved being creative with her hands, enjoyed fishing in Canada, bluegrass festivals and enjoyed Texas winters in her home in the Rio Grande Valley. She also encountered flying lessons with the same instructor where her husband and son took lessons. Shelby experienced many enjoyable family trips and loved being a mother and grandmother as she attended many of her son's and grandchildren's activities through the years. Shelby was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Ellsworth Community Club, Deb Hart Club, Auctioneers Association, co-chairman of Operation Thirst at the Oshkosh Air Show, and spousal member of Radcliffe Road Runner Flying Club. Cherishing her memories are her son Brad and wife Kelly; granddaughter Farin Lee; grandson Nickolas James; and her lovable Bichon Frise dog, Je'na.