Shirley Ann Schaben, daughter of Raymond A. and Frances Mary (Haran) Schaben was born January 11, 1966 in Harlan, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa, where she remained a lifetime member. She attended grade school at St. Boniface in Defiance and Westphalia, then graduated from Harlan Community High School with the class of 1984. Shirley was diagnosed with brain tumors early in life which led to life long struggles with her health.
Shirley “Putter” had a creative spirit, always wanting to make others smile with dressing up as Tilly Bug the Clown for patients where she worked, or using her artwork for special events and holidays. She loved painting pumpkins at Halloween and working on various arts and crafts. She enjoyed water aerobics with her friends and gift giving. On Fourth of July she always enjoyed being in charge of the Specialty Calcutta at Westphalia Picnic. She also liked chancing her luck with scratch off tickets, playing bingo and betting on races. Shirley also enjoyed adding to her collection of Precious Moments figurines. She enjoyed a Malibu and Diet Pepsi extra tall whenever the opportunity presented itself. She loved her family especially her nieces and nephews.
Shirley died at her home on Monday, November 15, 2021 attaining the age of fifty-five years, ten months and four days. She was preceded in death by her father Raymond and brother Rick Schaben.
She is survived by her mother Frances Schaben of Westphalia, Iowa; siblings Kathy (Jim) Fawcett of Solon, Iowa; Randy (Ronda) Schaben of Portsmouth, Iowa; Jerry Schaben and Amanda Brewer of Buck Grove, Iowa; Larry (Shelli) Schaben of Earling, Iowa; Jeff (Joy) Schaben of Westphalia, Iowa; Sue (Dale) Graeve of Earling, Iowa; Jeanie (Gary) Schmitz of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Sam (May) Schaben of West Des Moines, Iowa; Jon (Darla) Schaben of Grimes, Iowa; 21 nieces and nephews; 11 great nieces and nephews; other family members and many friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, November 18th at 10:30 AM at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 17th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a rosary at 7:00 PM at the church. Burial will be at the St. Boniface Church. The Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan is in charge of arrangements.
