Shirley Lou Appleman, 93, of Stockport, IA passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua, IA. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA with Pastor Larry Smith officiating. Burial will be held in the Spencer Cemetery near Stockport immediately following the service. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home and will last until the time of service. Memorial contributions in Shirley’s honor may be directed to the Spencer Cemetery Association or to the Stockport Fire Department. Friends may leave online
condolences and join the webcast at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Shirley Lou Harris was born August 27, 1930, at Mound City, Missouri to William J. Harris and Artha Jean Dearmont. She graduated from the High School class of 1948 in St. Joseph, Missouri. On November 29, 1948, she married Glen Byron Appleman, Jr. (Bud). This was the first chapter in a story that lasted 71 years until Bud passed away in 2019. Together they became the young parents to three children, Jeannie, Steve, and Mike.
Shirley was a housewife early in her marriage, later going to work in a factory, Stockport Nursing Home and Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Keosauqua until returning to school to get her LPN license in 1978. She then worked for Dr. Gustafson until her retirement.
Glen and Shirley were longtime members of the Fairfield Square Dance Club and co-owners of Appleman’s Worm Farm. Shirley cared deeply for her family and loved watching it grow with the addition of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.
She will be missed by her family and the many that called her friend.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, one sister and a stepson, Jack Appleman, as well as a grandson and a great grandson.
Left to share her memory is her daughter, Jeannie (Marvin) Story, two sons, Steve (Marsha) Appleman and Mike (Janice) Appleman, thirteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren and one on the way, a daughter-in-law, Jean Appleman, as well as many extended family and friends.
