Shirley Ann Staver

SHIRLEY ANN STAVER, 78, of Cherokee, Iowa, made her journey home to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning, January 27, 2026 at her home in Cherokee surrounded by her loving family, lifting her up in voice and prayer.

Memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Cherokee, Iowa.  Father Dan Rupp will officiate.  Burial will be in the Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Cherokee, Iowa at a later date.  The Boothby Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are made to them for a future project in Shirley's honor.  Cards may be sent to Dori Claycamp, 1960 Highway 3 Cherokee, Iowa 51012.

Shirley was born on January 13, 1948 to George and Martha (Proost) Haselhoff at Storm Lake, Iowa.  She graduated with the class of 1966 from Schaller High School.  She attended Commercial Extension Business School in Omaha, Nebraska. She was united in marriage on January 27, 1968 to Paul Staver at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Schaller, Iowa.  Together, she and Paul raised a family grounded in faith for 37 years until he passed away.  With strength and devotion, she continued their shared legacy for another 21 years.  Now reunited, they dance together once more on the date when their love story began.

She was employed as an Administrative Assistant at Iowa Public Service.  She worked for many years as the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Director, where she was known for her dedication to the members and strong work ethic. "Cherokee, Check it Out!" She devoted time to caring for others through her work as a District Manager for Willowbrook Apartments.  She finished out her working days as a part-time teller at State Savings Bank.  Her work allowed her to do what she loved most- working with people and helping others.

Shirley was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Cherokee, Iowa.  She was a member of Catholic Daughters, volunteered in the I.C. Church Food Pantry, and  served on the Cherokee Fair Board.

She loved to clean and organize, finding peace in creating order and beauty in every space she touched from her cupboards to the gardens.  She was always up for a game of 500 or Pinochle with friends or teaching her grands the love of the game. She will go down as the "Nello Queen"!  Her faith was a driving force in her everyday life, quietly shaping her kindness, her work, and the way she made people around her more gentle and orderly.  She found great joy in spending time with her many friends, sharing conversation, laughter, and a simple cup of coffee or a meal.  She treasured every moment with Ren, her great grandson, the one who made her eyes shine.  She especially enjoyed the time he spent playing at her house.  She looked forward to spending time with her great grandsons,  Easten and Colter, as they got older.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Staver in 2005, her parents George and Martha Marie Haselhoff, brothers Armon and Glen Haselhoff, and special friend Roger Mogensen.

Shirley will be greatly missed by her three children Veronica "Roni" (Tony) Huerta of Omaha, Nebraska, Dori (Fred) Claycamp of Cherokee, Iowa, Chad (Sara) Staver of Quimby, Iowa, and "Cinderella" Jeanna Bittner of Cherokee, Iowa; seven grandchildren Leah (Dan) Mulligan and Vincent Huerta, Caleb Claycamp (Sophia), Trey (Katlyne) Claycamp, and Dena Claycamp, and Skyler Staver (Asia) and Edwin Staver; three great grandchildren Ren Staver, Easten and Colter Claycamp; siblings Loleta (Dean) Staver of Wichita, Kansas and Phylis (Jim) Lonergan of Lincoln, Nebraska; special friend Grandma Joan Anderson; also many nieces, nephews, and friends.