Shirley A Simpson

Shirley Ann Simpson (Spilde), 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 6, 2026, in Ankeny, Iowa. Born on May 29, 1940, in Decorah, Iowa, she was the daughter of Harold and Grace Spilde.

Shirley grew up in the community she dearly loved and graduated from Decorah High School in 1958. On September 19, 1959, she married the love of her life, Marvin Simpson, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. Their devoted partnership spanned 66 years.

Marriage and Family LifeShirley and Marvin were truly two peas in a pod. Together, they built a loving family and filled their years with everyday joys, family gatherings, adventures, and travel. Shirley devoted much of her life to creating a warm home and raising her three children, Mike, Dave, and Lori. In 1979, she began working as a film technician at Heartland Education Agency, where she spent 23 years before retiring in 2002. In every chapter of her life, she was known for her dependability, strong work ethic, kind heart, and gentle spirit.

Favorite Pastimes and TravelShirley delighted in life’s simple pleasures: spending time with family, playing cards, reading, knitting, and traveling. She especially loved Florida’s beaches and warm weather, and for many years she and Marvin spent about three winter months there enjoying the sunshine. During their early retirement, they also made frequent trips to Brownsville, Texas, to visit Marvin’s parents. Although travel was one of Shirley and Marvin’s greatest joys, family always came first. Visiting loved ones in Algona and Decorah, Iowa, remained a priority. They also looked forward each year to returning to Sunset Resort on Norway Lake in Minnesota, where they established traditions and made memories their family will cherish for generations. Together they explored various destinations with some including Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Branson Missouri, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Florida. Their adventures also included a memorable Alaskan cruise and a 50th-anniversary trip to Europe, with visits to Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, and Rome.

Heritage, Faith, and CommunityShirley and her family took great pride in their Norwegian heritage, a tradition that remained meaningful throughout their lives. Each year, she looked forward to gathering with family and friends at Nordic Fest in Decorah to celebrate Scandinavian culture through music, parade, food, fun and family activities. Her love for Decorah ran deep; it was more than her birthplace and hometown; it was an enduring part of who she was. Shirley was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school while raising her children. She also served as a Cub Scout leader. In later years, she treasured her Wednesday coffee-club tradition, gathering with friends at Panera for coffee and conversation. These friendships brought her lasting happiness.

Her Character and LegacyAbove all, Shirley treasured her family. She was a loving mother who took immense pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She formed a deep, meaningful bond with each family member and had a gift for making everyone feel loved and cared for. Kind, generous, respectful, and exceptionally sweet, Shirley never spoke an unkind word. Her warmth and gentle nature put others at ease and made them feel welcome. Shirley lived with grace, humility, and love. Her legacy rests not in grand gestures, but in countless acts of kindness, cherished traditions, family gatherings, shared laughter, and treasured memories. Her life was defined by devotion; to her husband, children, extended family and friends, faith, community, and all she loved. Though she will be deeply missed, her family finds comfort in the love she shared and the many lives she touched. Her memory will endure in the hearts of all who knew and loved her, especially those who will forever treasure the years they shared by her side.