Obituaries : Shirley Lorraine Weichman

Shirley Lorraine Weichman, age 99, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, formerly of Newhall, IA, passed away peacefully to her heavenly home on Sunday, September 7, 2025.

     Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, October 6, 2025 at St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall with Rev. Nick Palmer officiating.  Friends may register from 9 AM until service time at the church.  Interment will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.  A memorial fund has been established.

     Shirley was born May 8, 1926, in Hazelton, IA, daughter of Arthur and Effie Cahoe. Shirley lost her Mother early at age 7 and was raised with love by the Lutheran Children’s Home in Waverly, where she was baptized, confirmed, and nurtured in Lutheran faith.  Shirley cherished life at the orphanage and always had a deep sense of gratitude for the love, and devotion given to her. 

     At age 13 Shirley joined her foster family, Rudy and Mary Havran in Dysart. Shirley graduated as an honor student and Dysart High School Snow Queen in 1946. She proudly shared the story of Superintendent Manley recommending her to receive the NW Bell switchboard operator job when a junior, which led to promotions after graduation, and continued work for NW Bell in Waterloo.

     Shirley met the love of her life Don Weichman, at a dance in 1947, beginning a love story that spanned six decades. They were united in marriage on August 27, 1950, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Newhall. Shortly following their wedding, Don went to military service at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. They moved to Warrington, Virginia, where Don was stationed in the U.S. Army 1950-1952, known as their 2-year honeymoon! While in Virginia, Shirley started a popular business, "Shirley's Bakery", on Saturday mornings. In 1952 they moved back to farm, on the 1865 homesteaded family farm in Newhall. Together they raised 2 daughters. Don and Shirley loved dancing, enjoyed two card clubs, the Iowa State Fair, Cattle Congress, family reunions, bowling, picnics, farm pond fishing, and valued the simple pleasures and beauty of farm life. Shirley worked part-time at Hope’s Bridal Boutique, near Atkins, after their daughters graduated from HS.

      Shirley loved and cherished farm life for 59 years. On the farm, she was an exceptional gardener, maintained beautiful flower beds, large vegetable gardens, and fruit orchard. The cellar was well stocked with preserved food! Shirley loved to host family holidays/Sunday dinners in the formal dining room and prepared amazing meals for the farm workers. Her kitchen was the heart of the farm, famous for Swedish tea rings, cloverleaf rolls, desserts-especially pies, and hearty meals. Faith and service guided her way. A devoted member of St. John's Lutheran for 75 years. She taught Sunday school, joined bible study, and faithfully volunteered for countless church dinners and events.  She was also a 60-year member of the Newhall American Legion Auxiliary.  

     In 2018, Shirley proudly accepted the “Iowa Heritage Farm Award”, at the Iowa state Fair, honoring 150 years of Weichman family farm stewardship.

     Faith, family, and friends were everything to Shirley. Family was her greatest joy. "Gigi" delighted in the achievements of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, cherishing every call, visit, card, and attending events of her grandchildren and great grandchildren! They were her pride and joy.  

      Shirley and Don were happily married for 61 years before his death on November 5, 2011. They sold the farmstead in late October 2011. Shirley moved to Quail Ridge one week before Don’s passing, and in March 2022 moved to Stoney Point Meadows Independent Living. She enjoyed and cherished new friendships and appreciated the outstanding staff.

Shirley leaves a legacy of love, kindness, strength, zest for life, and self-determination. She was an amazing woman with a strong moral compass, tremendous work ethic, a survivor and hard worker in every sense of the word. She will be remembered for always helping others, especially the elderly.

     Shirley is preceded in death by her loving husband Don, siblings Betty Luitjens, Lucille Vance, Jim Cahoe and Bob Ashbaugh, foster parents Rudy and Mary Havran, and many friends.

     Those who are left to honor and cherish Shirley’s memory are daughters: Debra (Doug) Wessling of Spicer, MN; Cyndi (Dennis) Wagner of Dakota Dunes, SD; grandchildren: Brooke (Scott) Bergman, Carrie Wessling, Wade (Katie) Wessling, Whitney Wagner, Joshua Wagner, six great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Avery, Emersyn, Sawyer, Landrie, and Jenci, nephew Bob (Nancy) Speed, sister-in-law Byrdine Siek Pickard, niece Bobby Siek, and many extended relatives and dear friends.

     The family would like to extend their gratitude to the wonderful people who loved and cared for Shirley at Stoney Point Meadows in Cedar Rapids, in an exceptionally loving and compassionate way for the past 3 1/2 years, and The Gardens skilled nursing and Unity Point Hospice for their care in Shirley's last month of life.

     Blessed be her memory. Shirley will be dearly missed by family and friends. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this full and faithful earthly life.

     Condolences may be sent to:   Deb Weichman Wessling,  7542 North Shore Drive, Spicer, MN 56288 / Cyndi Weichman Wagner, 426 Inverness Trail, Dakota Dunes, SD 57049.