Obituary
Shirley Ann Nixon left this world peacefully on December 8, 2023. Shirley was born in Cortez, Colorado to Ernest and Alberta Beerends. Shirley's family grew by two with a brother Jerry and younger sister Barb. The family left Colorado for better opportunities in Bettendorf, Iowa when Shirley was 15. There she graduated from Bettendorf High School in 1959.
After graduation, Shirley attended the University of Iowa and met her first husband, Bil Fye. The couple married in 1962 and soon welcomed their first son Bill. They moved to Fairfield, IA where Shirley worked as a secretary at Parsons College and continued to pursue her musical interests. They would welcome two more sons, Carl in 1969 and Joe in 1973. Shirley returned to college finishing her nursing degree and started her nursing career at Jefferson County Community Hospital.
In 1980, Shirley and Bil ended their marriage. Shirley met Jim Nixon who she would later marry. She and the boys would move to Jim's farm in Stockport, Iowa. Shirley continued her nursing career at Van Buren County Hospital. Shirley was, at heart, a helper and a giver who took great joy in nursing.
In addition to active caregiving, Shirley shared her love of music inspired by her father. Shirley learned oboe and clarinet from Ernest, and added piano and organ to her musical repertoire through lessons. In turn, she gave piano lessons to her granddaughters and other community members. She also played organ in the churches she attended in her communities. She volunteered in music programs at her granddaughters' schools as well as Summer Bible Camp. Shirley also was an avid reader which led to her volunteering time in the Gilman Community Library.
The family will always be thankful for the dedication and care provided by the staff of Seeland Park and Windsor Manor. A special thank you goes to all the staff of Brooklyn Community Estates for the care shown to Shirley at the end of her life. Shirley chose no memorial service. Shirley asked her family to spread her ashes in places she loved during the time she lived in Colorado. In lieu of flowers, any remembrance can be sent to Poweshiek Animal League Shelter where she adopted a few of her fuzzy friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Alberta Beerends and husband Jim Nixon. She is survived by her brother, Jerry and sister-in-law Chris Beerends (Westbend, WI), and sister Barb Beerends (Denver, CO). Sons and daughters-in-law: Bill and Jami Fye (Randolph, NE), Carl and Jodi Fye (Brooklyn, IA), and Joe Fye and Deon Fackler (Portland, OR). Grandchildren James and Analy Fye (Randolp, NE), Katie Fye (Golden, CO), Haley & Austin Keller (Colfax, IA), Alyssa Fye (Golden, CO), Autumn Fye (Colfax, IA), Ariel Fye (Lincoln, NE), Gabrielle Fye (Pella, IA), and Molly Fackler (Portland,OR). And great-grandchild Azriel Fye (Randolph, NE). Nephews and niece: Jerry Beerends Jr (Moab, UT), Jason and Jeanna Beerends (Iowa City, IA), Cathy and Tyler Klaes (Fairbanks, AK), Michael and Liana Beerends (Fresno, CA), Will Balaz (Denver, CO) and Jesse and Juliana Balaz (Liverpool, NY).
After graduation, Shirley attended the University of Iowa and met her first husband, Bil Fye. The couple married in 1962 and soon welcomed their first son Bill. They moved to Fairfield, IA where Shirley worked as a secretary at Parsons College and continued to pursue her musical interests. They would welcome two more sons, Carl in 1969 and Joe in 1973. Shirley returned to college finishing her nursing degree and started her nursing career at Jefferson County Community Hospital.
In 1980, Shirley and Bil ended their marriage. Shirley met Jim Nixon who she would later marry. She and the boys would move to Jim's farm in Stockport, Iowa. Shirley continued her nursing career at Van Buren County Hospital. Shirley was, at heart, a helper and a giver who took great joy in nursing.
In addition to active caregiving, Shirley shared her love of music inspired by her father. Shirley learned oboe and clarinet from Ernest, and added piano and organ to her musical repertoire through lessons. In turn, she gave piano lessons to her granddaughters and other community members. She also played organ in the churches she attended in her communities. She volunteered in music programs at her granddaughters' schools as well as Summer Bible Camp. Shirley also was an avid reader which led to her volunteering time in the Gilman Community Library.
The family will always be thankful for the dedication and care provided by the staff of Seeland Park and Windsor Manor. A special thank you goes to all the staff of Brooklyn Community Estates for the care shown to Shirley at the end of her life. Shirley chose no memorial service. Shirley asked her family to spread her ashes in places she loved during the time she lived in Colorado. In lieu of flowers, any remembrance can be sent to Poweshiek Animal League Shelter where she adopted a few of her fuzzy friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Alberta Beerends and husband Jim Nixon. She is survived by her brother, Jerry and sister-in-law Chris Beerends (Westbend, WI), and sister Barb Beerends (Denver, CO). Sons and daughters-in-law: Bill and Jami Fye (Randolph, NE), Carl and Jodi Fye (Brooklyn, IA), and Joe Fye and Deon Fackler (Portland, OR). Grandchildren James and Analy Fye (Randolp, NE), Katie Fye (Golden, CO), Haley & Austin Keller (Colfax, IA), Alyssa Fye (Golden, CO), Autumn Fye (Colfax, IA), Ariel Fye (Lincoln, NE), Gabrielle Fye (Pella, IA), and Molly Fackler (Portland,OR). And great-grandchild Azriel Fye (Randolph, NE). Nephews and niece: Jerry Beerends Jr (Moab, UT), Jason and Jeanna Beerends (Iowa City, IA), Cathy and Tyler Klaes (Fairbanks, AK), Michael and Liana Beerends (Fresno, CA), Will Balaz (Denver, CO) and Jesse and Juliana Balaz (Liverpool, NY).
Services
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