LITTELLE, Shirley Joan (Cooper) 1930-2017

LITTELLE, COOPER, WOODWARD

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 12/12/2017 at 20:55:44

Littelle, Shirley

Birth: August 6, 1930
Death: December 10, 2017

Shirley Littelle, 87, of Charles City, Iowa, and formerly Meridian, Idaho, passed away Sunday, December 10, 2017 at the Nora Springs Care Center in Nora Springs, Iowa, with her family by her side.

A memorial service for Shirley Littelle will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 14, 2017 at Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Inurnment will be at Beckwith Cemetery in rural Colwell.

A gathering of family and friends will be one hour before the memorial service at the funeral home on Thursday.

Shirley Joan Cooper Littelle was born on August 6, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan to William and Dora (Woodward) Cooper. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1947. She married Wilfred G. Littelle on January 30, 1951 in Mason City, Iowa. Three daughters were born to this union; and they later divorced.

There was nothing more holy to Shirley than her family. As a mother, her daughters remember her constant bragging about how wonderful her girls were! She never forgot birthdays or special occasions for "her girls" or grandchildren. For years, she traveled once a year from Meridian to each of her daughter's homes, staying weeks at a time. She was a hands-on grandma and very present in their lives; she loved them, and they loved her!

Shirley lived in Meridian, Idaho for over 20 years. She oversaw the care of her elderly mother and step-father while working in the deli at an Albertson Grocery Store. She was a member of a high-spirited bowling team where she made wonderful relationships that brought her much joy.

She loved bowling! Roses were her favorite flower, and red her favorite color…be it roses or anything else. She always had a yard full of flowers and found peace in tending to them. She was a "big fan" of the Boise State Bronco football team and known to hang out with "horn blowing/bell ringing" touchdown crazies!!

In August of 2013, Shirley moved to Charles City to be close to daughter Debi, in need of help with healthcare. She volunteered at the Messiah Food Pantry for two and a half years, befriending the many she met. She loved having her granddaughter, Madi, stop by her apartment after school, and felt blessed she could attend her choir concerts, orchestra concerts, and sports events.

Shirley served Jesus Christ whole heartedly through the Colwell United Church of Christ and Jordan River Church. She was always focused on doing what she could to be of help to others. She was energetic, kind, and a light for all.

Surviving family members include: Sandra Bellegante of Greenville, Illinois, Debra Lincoln (Bob) of Charles City and Cindy Kreidler (Robert) of Georgetown, Texas; six grandchildren: Jamie Epperson (Scott) of Mulberry Grove, Illinois, Jennifer Bellegante of Greenville, Illinois, Lindsay Breitkreutz of Mason City, Madi Lincoln of Charles City, Stevie Sienkiel (Zack) of Georgetown, Texas and Olivia Kreidler of Houston, Texas; great-grandchildren: Allie, Arjan, Lucas, Karlynn, Xander and Coen.

Nieces and nephews include: Craig Cooper (Ellen), Gary Cooper (Donna) and Diane Morris (Steve) all of Boise, Idaho.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a step-father; two brothers: Bill and Bob Cooper; two sisters-in-law: Dottie and Lucille Cooper; son-in-law, Tony Bellegante; and great-grandson, Dakota Knapp.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Messiah Food Pantry, 102 North Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616.

SOURCE: Hauser Funeral Home website