Shirley Ann Thompson, 88, passed away on April 27, 2026, at Kennybrook Village in Grimes, Iowa.
Shirley was born on March 7, 1938, in Burlington, Iowa, to Lloyd and Marie Sater of Danville, Iowa. She graduated from Danville High School in 1955 and went on to attend the School of Nursing at St. Luke’s Methodist Hospital in Cedar Rapids, earning her degree in 1958. She worked in North English and Ottumwa before stepping aside for several years while raising her children. She returned to nursing at the Fairfield Clinic, spending many years there, enjoying the friendship of her co-workers, caring for others and becoming a familiar and trusted presence to generations of patients.
On June 28, 1958, she married Jerry Thompson of Conrad, Iowa. Together, they raised three sons: Scott (Teri), Chad (Becky), and Justin “Jay”. Though their marriage ended later in life, their years together built a family that remained at the center of Shirley’s life.
Shirley was a proud and devoted grandmother to seven grandchildren, Megan Thompson, Alexander Thompson, Erin (Kyle) Read, Elizabeth Thompson, Nathan (Delphina) Thompson, Carter Thompson and Claire Thompson. She had one great-grandchild, Joel Read. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Rita Sater and Marcia Whiteford, nieces Heidi (Brent Baldus) Thompson, Kim (Andy) Smith, Robyn (Alec) Mironov and nephews Cary (Rita) Thompson and Chris (Traci Green) Sater. One last special mention is her lifelong best friend and “sister” Shiela Naffziger.
Shirley was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Fairfield, where her faith took root and continued to grow throughout her life. She was actively involved in the life of the church, contributing her time and care in many ways. She particularly enjoyed playing in the bell choir and singing in the Chancel Choir. Her faith was reflected in how she lived, how she served others, and how she loved her family.
She was part of various community organizations, including PEO and Questers and also served on the Fairfield Park & Recreation board when the indoor pool was built. She enjoyed traveling the world, but also simple things like having a houseful of friends of her boys over the years. It seemed she was a second mom to some of them.
Shirley was never far from her sewing machines. When the children were young, she often made clothes for them. For several years, she made doll clothes as a side venture while home with her children. She made sundresses and pajamas for her grandchildren. When she retired, Shirley discovered a new passion – quilting. She created well over 100 quilts, each its own work of art. She preferred the creative process of finding the right colors and patterns, piecing together the quilt tops. She had others do the finish quilting. She helped each grandchild make their own quilt, which gave her great joy. She worked part-time in two quilt stores in Fairfield, owned by her quilting friends. She preferred to be paid in the currency of fabric. It was noted that she had enough fabric meticulously stored in her quilt room (the largest bedroom in her home) to open her own fabric shop. She enjoyed her time and friendship with the “Northside Strippers”, their meetings and local shows. Her work was exhibited locally in Fairfield and at the Iowa State Fair, and more importantly, her quilts have become treasured pieces in the homes of her children and grandchildren—lasting reminders of her warmth, patience, and love.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Clair Sater of San Francisco.
Visitation for family and friends will be 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Funeral services celebrating her life will be held Friday, May 8th at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Fairfield with Pastors Al Coffin and Craig Brown officiating. A luncheon will be served, and burial in Jaggar Cemetery in rural Danville will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, The Lord’s Cupboard of Jefferson County or The African Violet Foundation.
Shirley will be remembered for her steady compassion, her quiet strength, and the way she gave of herself, including her work as a nurse, her church involvement, or the countless hours spent creating something meaningful for those she loved. She had a gift for caring, in every sense of the word and will be sorely missed.