McAllister, Rachelle "Shelly" (McClure) 1965 - 2026
MCALLISTER, MCCLURE, CARTWRIGHT, HARROD, HOLMSTROM, GREENHAUGH, SHEARER, PECKHAM
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/28/2026 at 10:39:46
Rachelle "Shelly" Renee McAllister passed away surrounded by family on March 21, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Shelly was born on February 2, 1965, to Karlos and Janet (Cartwright) McClure and grew up in New Viriginia, Iowa. Growing up, Shelly loved to spend time camping and fishing with her Grandpa Chet. They had their favorite fishing spots and, until the end, she was a dedicated fisher. She was active in athletics from the time she could walk. Her dad coached her through it all, and her mom never missed a game. She graduated from Interstate 35 High School in 1983 and received a full ride scholarship to play softball at Northwest Missouri State University. While playing for the Bearcats, she recorded a no hitter during her first appearance in the circle and ended her career with a school record of four no-hitters. Shelly and her teammates qualified for nationals, and the 1984 softball team was inducted into the NWMSU M-Club Hall of Fame.
After graduation, she accepted her first teaching job at Crestwood High School and moved to Northeast Iowa. She taught Physical Education and Health for middle and high school, a position she held for 37 years, until retiring in the Spring of 2025. While at Crestwood, she also coached softball, volleyball and basketball. She coached her volleyball team to two conference titles in 1998 and 1999, before giving up coaching to focus on raising her family.
After moving to Cresco, she met the love of her life, Jeff McAllister, while playing pick-up volleyball. It was an instant connection, and they were married on August 3rd, 1991. Shelly and Jeff welcomed their three children, Meghan, Kaitlin, and Austin, and modeled what hard work and love can do in a marriage. They spent a lot of time outside going on walks, camping, and sharing their love of sports with the kids. Together, this family traveled many miles to support their children and never missed any activity or event. In the rare off time between seasons, they spent even more time in the car on road trips across the country. Shelly had the privilege of coaching her kids in their various activities and watching her children grow and mature while she worked. She had the additional bonus of teaching her future in-laws—Ryan, Alex, and Haley—so she could give a scouting report to Jeff.
In 2019 Jeff and Shelly added to their farm by purchasing some property that became known as “The Pond”. There were many campfires, gatherings, and hours spent fishing. Shelly often needed to help everyone take the fish off their hooks and she was very adamant about keeping the fridge stocked with worms. Every spring a new competition began to see who could catch the most fish-a contest Shelly usually won. The pond became her secluded sanctuary and where she spent the days she was feeling well.
One of Shelly’s biggest joys in life was being a grandma. She adored her 7 grandkids and loved that they all lived within a mile of her. You often found her snuggled up with them on the couch, giving them snacks, or facetiming with them. She was their biggest fan and knew how to always make the “owies” better.
Shelly is survived by her husband of 34 years, Jeff; children Meghan (Ryan) Harrod, Kaitlin (Alex) Holmstrom, and Austin (Haley) McAllister; grandkids Treyton, Kalvin and Mcallie Harrod, Aleah and Chase Holmstrom, and Casen and Emery McAllister; father Karlos McClure; brother Tony McClure; many extended family members; and close friends that were more like family, especially Jeff and Colleen Peckham and Mike and Jo Berg.
Shelly was preceded in death by her mother Janet McClure; grandparents Chet and Beryl Cartwright, Gale and Maxine McClure, and step-grandfather Robert Greenhalgh; father and mother-in-law John “Chub” and Marie McAllister; aunts Nancy Gordon Shearer and Sherry Lincoln; and her bonus niece Shay Peckham.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of Shelly’s care team, especially the staff of the Palliative Care Floor at Mayo, Sarah Kach, and her PT team.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to HOCA (Howard County Cancer Association) or the Creswtood All Sports Booster Club.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Notre Dame Catholic Church with Fr. Jacob Rouse officiating. Shelly will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Cresco. Visitation will be from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, at Notre Dame Catholic Church.
Source: Hindt Funeral Home database
Calvary Cresco Cemetery
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen