Marolyn Lea Shirkey

HARPER-Marolyn Lea Shirkey, age 86, of Sigourney, formerly of Harper, died Monday, September 4, 2017, at Manor House Care Center in Sigourney.
Marolyn was born November 2, 1930, in Harper, to Cyril "Cooney" and Anna (Schultz) Conrad and graduated from Brighton High School in 1950. On December 8, 1950, she married Dale Shirkey in Rock Island, Illinois. Marolyn was a waitress and owner of Harper House, Marolyn's Bar and Grill and Marolyn's Catering. She also worked at White Front Café, Winga's in Washington and Maplewood Manor in Keota. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church and was a former member of the Harper Women's Club.
Survivors include six children: Sherry (Glenn) Oritsky of Salt Lake City, Utah, Mike (Bobbie) Shirkey of Washington, Anna Mae Story of Winfield, Dan (Donna) Shirkey of Wellman, Lora (Jim) Fisher of Sigourney and Mary (Danny) Bishop of Richland; 17 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; brother: Mac (Sandy) Conrad of Washington; brother-in-law: John (Debbie) Shirkey of Oelwein and sister-in-law: Virginia Zwetzig of Oakland, California. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Dale in 1995; grandson: Guy Dale; granddaughter: Georgia and three sisters: Bonnie Conrad, Dolores Pacha and Betty Drish.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2017, at Bethel United Methodist Church in rural Sigourney, with Rev. Nick Needham officiating. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries - St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Harper. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2017, at Powell Funeral Home in Keota.

A memorial fund has been established for Bethel United Methodist Church or Keokuk County Hospice. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Marolyn and her family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.