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On November 29, 2025 Shirley Ann Sims, mother of four, grandmother of seven, and great-grandmother of ten, passed away at the age of 95 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Shirley was born on November 23, 1930, to Mathilda and Fred Rupp. She grew up on a farm outside of Cherokee with ten siblings. She graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic School and went on to attend secretarial school.

She married Rudy Sims on December 1, 1956, and they lived in Storm Lake briefly before moving to Schaller, Iowa . Shirley spent most of her adult life in Schaller. She worked at the State Bank of Schaller and was very involved in community organizations and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Shirley spent many hours at Schaller Community School, attending her children’s activities, volunteering, and baking bars for concession stand sales. Shirley loved to play bridge and was an active member of the Alta Country Club.

Once Shirley had raised her children, she and Rudy loved to travel, be it a new experience, visiting the kids and grandkids, or even trying out a new casino! They enjoyed retirement in Schaller surrounded by life-time friends. In their later years they relocated to the Omaha area and Rudy passed away in 2020.

Shirley leaves her children: Jeff Sims (Patti) of LaVista, NE, Bob Sims (Kim) of Blair, NE, Michele Lucas (Joe) of Lake St. Louis, MO, and Mike Sims (Doyle Monsma) of Des Moines, IA; her grandchildren: Lindsey Herman (Josh), Tyler Sims (Jamie), Jackie Konwinski (Josh), Nick Sims (Brandi), Hannah Lucas (Fulvio), Ben Lucas and Kate Lucas; her great grandchildren: Wade Sims, Whitley Sims, Weston Sims, Delaney Hermann, Landon Mueller, Addilyn Konwinski, Lane Konwinski, Dax Sims, Easton Gould, and Emmersyn Gould; two sisters: Norma Clark and Mary O’Leary; and one sister-in-law: Joan Rupp.

Services will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church of Cherokee at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Shirley will be laid to rest in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Schaller, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

In Loving Memory of Shirley Ann Sims

Born November 23, 1930 Cherokee, Iowa ~ Entered Into rest November 29, 2025 Omaha, Nebraska.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:30am Thursday, December 11, 2025 Immaculate Conception Church of Cherokee, Cherokee, Iowa. Celebrant: Father Dan Rupp. Cantor & Pianist: Cain Junkman

Honorary Pallbearers: Lindsey Herman, Tyler Sims, Jackie Konwinski, Nick Sims, Hannah Lucas, Ben Lucas, Kate Lucas.

Musical Selections: “Amazing Grace”, “Whatsoever You Do”, “On Eagle’s Wings”, “Be Not Afraid”

Graveside services will follow in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery, Schaller, Iowa

Memorials may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home, Blair, Nebraska

~~~funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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