Judy Kay Shirley

After an extremely courageous battle with gallbladder cancer, Judy Kay Shirley, finally surrendered her earthly body on October 26th, 2024 and gazed upon the face of Jesus as He welcomed her home. While we struggle to let go of our greatest cheerleader and best friend, we find peace and rejoice with her knowing that at that moment, Jesus took her hands to hold her close and reveled with gladness at her return to Him.

Judy was born on January 7th, 1953 to George and Marvyl Oakland. They raised her and her brother, Gary, together on a farm near St. Ansgar, IA. It was there that she developed a creative eye and learned to spot the beauty in everything. Along with the standard farm family lessons in hard work and perseverance that she carried throughout life, she learned to sew and play piano. As she grew up and left the farm, these are gifts she shared with those in her home and community. She attended the University of Northern Iowa and earned a degree in Interior Design, graduating in 1975. This ultimately led to a career as a very talented Interior Design Instructor and Commercial Interior Designer that she had retired from in 2021. She was very passionate about teaching the next generation of interior designers at both Hawkeye Community College and within the workplace.

Judy married Joe Shirley in June of 1984 and later divorced in 1999 - but the greatest gifts God gave her through their union was her two children, Josh and Jenna.  Despite the challenges of single-parenthood, they brought her strength to boldly take on each new day, and it was through them that she kept going in her final days here on earth.  She lived motherhood as her highest calling and was there for life's big and little moments cheering them on - at Hudson Pirates sporting events, boy scout campouts, college drop-offs, weddings, new homes, ultrasound appointments and births of her cherished grandbabies.

Judy was a careful listener and present friend that made enjoying something simple, such as hot cup of coffee together, a special joy. Her attentive nature made her a wonderful companion for her mother, Marvyl, over the past few years as she stayed busy with appointments and other care needs. Outside of the time spent there, she found great delight in time with her grandchildren, snuggling with her pup, Libby, and mowing the lawn on her "John Deere Tractor". She was also a huge Iowa Women's Basketball and more recently Indiana Fever fan (Go Caitlin Clark!) and would never miss watching a game.

Her Zion Lutheran Church family has been an ever-present anchor throughout her years, praying for her and providing community and connection to the body of Christ in the ups and downs that life can bring. She also played organ for Deer Creek Church for a number of years and found cherished friendships within that church community as well.

Judy is survived by her mother, Marvyl Oakland, her children and their spouses: Josh and Mickennzie (Hammer), Jenna (Shirley) and Joel Parr, and her grandchildren: Emma & Maddex Shirley, and Kate, Max, and Brock Parr; and brother, Gary (Julie) Oakland. She was preceded in death by her father, George Oakland.

We love you more than all the stars in the sky, fish in the sea, and gumdrops in the world, Mom.

Services to celebrate Judy's life and lay her earthly body to rest will be held at Zion Lutheran Church (5831 Grundy Rd, Hudson, IA) on Thursday, October 31st at 10 a.m., with a meal to follow. Visitation will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Wednesday, October 30th from 4-7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for future designation. Please visit www.dahlfuneralhome.com to share condolences.