Shirley L. Belknap, 87, of Mediapolis, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Mediapolis. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at the funeral home. Private family burial will be in Kossuth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Des Moines County Fair and Mediapolis Ambulance in Shirley’s name. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.sandhfuneralservices.com.
Shirley L. Janssen was born on March 11th, 1938, in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Arnold and Inez (Moehle) Janssen. Shirley attended Mediapolis High School, where she developed a passion for basketball and was a member of the Mediapolis 6-on-6 Girls High School basketball legacy. She graduated high school in 1956 and on June 24, 1956, Shirley was united in marriage to William “Bill” Belknap in Mediapolis. Together they farmed north of Mediapolis and raised their family. While raising her family, she was active in the Immanuel Lutheran church and was a 4-H leader for the Mediapolis Busy Bees for many years. In 1981, she graduated from Southeastern Community College with her LPN degree in nursing. After her husband, Bill, passed away in 1984, she took on a major role in the family farming operation with day-to-day farm and field work.
In addition to supporting the family farm, she was an accomplished dog breeder, raising “puppies with love” that were sent to hundreds of loving homes across the United States. Also, Shirley enjoyed toting her own fishing rod and tackle box and fishing with her kids and grandkids at her pond. She hosted the Northfield 4th of July Parade gathering for several years, and also loved going to the casino. However, the highlight of every summer was camping at and attending the Iowa State Fair for over 60 years straight. The Des Moines County Fair also held a special place in her heart, never once missing a county fair where her children and grandchildren were showing livestock, and even beating the heat to watch her grandkids show this past summer.
Perhaps Shirley’s greatest attribute was the level of support and interest she had for her children’s and grandchildren’s activities. She was always there with her camera taking pictures and capturing memories. When she couldn’t attend in person, she would tune in online to watch and cheer, then be quick to text with a heartfelt message filled with emojis. She was also an avid collector of many things. She especially enjoyed collections that were shared with her kids and grandkids.
Shirley will be deeply missed by her children, Chris (Dean) Mumme of West Burlington, Mike (Annette) Belknap of Mediapolis, Judy (Mike) Marshall of Coralville and Craig (Kelly) Belknap of Mediapolis; grandchildren, Lynn (Nick) Schaul, Travis (Chelsie) Mumme, Cody (Renee) Belknap, Dustin (Madeline) Belknap, Lance Marshall, Austin (Kim) Marshall, Stella Belknap, Scarlett Belknap and Archer Belknap; great-grandchildren, Rhett Mumme, Esme Mumme, Collin Belknap, Savannah Belknap, Georgia Belknap, Todd Belknap, Finn Marshall and Charlie Marshall; siblings, Dolores (Lawrence ) Colton of Colorado and Gerald (Lila) Janssen of Ankeny and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; sister, Loretta Kuster and brother, Bill Janssen.