Shirley M. Palmer

Shirley Marie Palmer, 77, of Clear Lake, died Saturday, May 28, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, in Mason City.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2016, at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave. N., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson officiating.  Per Shirley’s wishes, her body will be cremated following services, and a private inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, at a later date.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, in Clear Lake.  Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church.

Family suggests memorial contributions to the Shirley Palmer Memorial Fund.

Shirley was born Sept. 30, 1938, the daughter of Andrew and Mildred (Brandt) Kirkeide, in Brush Creek, Minn.  She was united in marriage to the love of her life, James “Jim” Palmer on June 23, 1957, in Easton, Minn.  To this union four children were born.

Shirley graduated from Wells High School.  She worked many years in manufacturing until retiring in 1999 and joining Jim on numerous traveling excursions.  Her favorite destination was Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Shirley enjoyed reading, planting and caring for her flowers, watching horse racing, Wheel of Fortune, Dancing with the Stars and cheering for the Minnesota Vikings.  Her greatest joy, however, was spending time with her family.

Left to cherish her memory is her son, Mark (Amy) Palmer, of Garner, Iowa; a daughter, Jennifer, of Clear Lake; a son-in-law, John Scheetz, of El Paso, Texas; eight grandchildren, Adam Palmer, Andrew Palmer, Stephanie Palmer, Samantha Palmer, Zachary Palmer, Keely Scheetz, Heather Scheetz and Alexander Palmer; three great-grandchildren, Hunter Palmer, Mackenzie Cates and Jaxon Wike; and many extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; a daughter, Melody Scheetz; a son, Jeffrey; her parents; two brothers, Eddie and Steve; and a sister, Mary.