Shirley Hosfelt, 87, of Massena

Mass of Christian Burial: Will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Massena with burial in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon will be at the church following the burial. The Lamb Funeral Home in Massena is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com. 

Open Visitation: Will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Massena. To celebrate her Irish Roots please wear green to the visitation. 

Rosary Service: Will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Massena.

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Massena. 

Memorials: Memorials may be directed to the Shirley Hosfelt Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date. 

Shirley Ann (Devine) Hosfelt was born February 12, 1937 to Charles and Helen (Cullen) Devine in a small house south of Massena, Iowa. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on Monday, December 2 at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 87.

She grew up on a farm in the Massena area and graduated from Massena High School in 1955. After graduation, Shirley started work at Equitable Life Insurance Company in Des Moines, Iowa as a File Clerk and advanced to the Head File Clerk position. She enjoyed living at the Women’s Business House where she met life-long friends.

On February 10, 1958 she married her high school sweetheart Gene Hosfelt at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Des Moines. They were blessed with four children: Brenda, Michael, Christina and William. 

Shirley found enjoyment in being a farm wife and raising their children. When the kids were old enough, as a joke the C & S Cleaning Service was formed. Shirley and Charlotte Hensley worked to clean local businesses and houses for extra money. She also loved taking summer family vacations to the Lake of the Ozarks and traveling with Gene to various locations. Shirley enjoyed watching her children participate in school activities, sporting events and 4-H. She was strong in her Catholic faith and honored her Irish roots.

Her greatest joy was the arrival of grandchildren. She spent many hours going to every grandchild’s events such as sporting events, dance recitals, band and flag performances. Her life continued to be enriched as she welcomed her great grandchildren. 

For most of her married life, she loved dancing, spending time with friends at Birthday Club, Sunshine Garden Club, Altar and Rosary Society, teaching CCD, Massena Historical Society, and Breakfast Club. Every Wednesday morning you could find Shirley at morning mass and fellowship at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Helen, husband Gene, mother and father-in-law George and Velma Hosfelt and sister Marian Devine. 

Shirley is survived by her four children, Brenda Hosfelt of La Vista, Nebraska and Michael (Mary) Hosfelt of Massena, Iowa and Christina (Alan) Carothers of Lincoln, Nebraska and William (Angela) Hosfelt of Greenfield, Iowa. Sister Donna (Ron) Martin of Greenfield, Iowa. Grandchildren: William (Tara) Erickson, Spenser (Anna) Erickson, Catherine (Gabe) Miles, Sarah Carothers, Mallory (Brandon) Houdek, Alicia Hosfelt, Keagan (Stephanie) Hosfelt, Nate Hosfelt, Nicholas Williams and Shawna Williams.

Great Grandchildren: Kaleb and Kameron Erickson. Charlotte and Josephine Miles. Bentley, Britleigh and Aubrey Erickson. Lucille and Henry Hosfelt: Other relatives and friends.