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Shirley A. Diestelmeier, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 25, 2025 at Bickford Senior Living, Iowa City, Iowa. She was known for her dedication to family and friends, her unwavering faith, consistently putting the needs of others ahead of her own, an abundant heart, and legendary chocolate chip cookies.

She was the daughter of Latze and Lois M. (Secker) Nes. She was born on September 12, 1937 in Freeport, Illinois. She is survived by her three children, Jeff (Maria) of Belvidere, Illinois; Mark (Jennifer Goetsch) of Hartland, Wisconsin; and Beth (Mark) Madden of Iowa City, Iowa; three grandchildren, Megan (James) Starke; Matt Diestelmeier (fiancee Emily Hordesky), and Ben Madden; and one great-grandchild, Leo Starke.

A near life-long resident of Freeport, Shirley attended Immanuel Lutheran School and graduated from Freeport High School. She then took employment at Micro Switch. She married Donald R. Diestelmeier on March 16, 1957 at First Lutheran Church in Freeport. Thereafter she devoted herself tirelessly to fulfilling the wants and needs of her family, parents, grandmother, and aunt. She participated actively in the life of First Lutheran, including in its Attic Angels and Caregivers groups, Mary's Circle Bible study group, and in the Sunday School office. She helped coordinate, prepare and serve countless meals at potlucks and funeral receptions there.

Shirley enjoyed cooking; baking; hosting holiday meals; eating Cannova's pizza, Garden Deli sandwiches, and beef and noodles in Lena; and dominating at Mexican Train Dominoes and various card games. She also enjoyed live theater – especially musicals – including at Broadway in Chicago, The Fireside Theater, The University of Iowa's Hancher Auditorium, the Performing Arts Center in Des Moines, and the Paramount Theater in Cedar Rapids. She absolutely adored her grandchildren. She loved flowers of all kinds and especially loved the spring season, when grass turned green and flowering trees and bushes fell into bloom. She carefully tended and invested deeply in friendships with people she held dear. One of her favorite pastimes was to pick up a friend and drive to Rockford for shopping, lunch, and an ice cream cone. She and her friends honored each other's birthdays with regular lunch outings on their special days.

After moving into assisted living in Iowa City, Shirley delighted in her nightly mealtimes with Beth, Mark, and Ben and the chance to watch the news and participate in a competitive round of Wheel of Fortune together. She enjoyed visiting the Madden home every weekend to cook, bake, play games, go on wheelchair rides around the neighborhood, and "tailgate in the living room" while watching Iowa Hawkeye football in her favorite Hawkeye gear. She was an avid Caitlyn Clark fan and gleefully watched every Iowa women's and Indiana Fever basketball game. She went on weekly adventures with Beth, including going to the movie theater, watching performances by the Iowa City Community Band, shopping at the mall, going on grocery store outings, and enjoying the outdoor beauty of Terry Trueblood Recreation area. Saturday mornings were reserved for Starbucks lattes and laughs. Shirley found joy in the most simple moments and was always quick to express her love.

She was loved by so many and will be dearly missed.

Her funeral service will be held at First Lutheran Church in Freeport on Wednesday, September 3rd at 11:00 am, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Burial will be at Oakland Mausoleum. A luncheon reception at the Church follows the burial. A memorial fund has been established in her name.