Shirley Ann Hopewell

Shirley Ann Hopewell, 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center, Iowa. Shirley loved Jesus and we are sure, entered Heaven dancing the jitterbug! In God’s perfect timing, Shirley was welcomed into Heaven on husband Tom’s birthday. What a joyous reunion that must have been!

Shirley was born August 11, 1936, in Silex, Missouri, the daughter of Forrest Wilson and Jennie L. Liles. Jennie later married James D. Bohon, who lovingly helped raise her. She attended grade school in Bowling Green, Missouri, before moving to Burlington, Iowa, where she attended Prospect Hill Elementary, Horace Mann Junior High School, and graduated from Burlington High School in 1954.

Following high school, Shirley worked at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown, Iowa, where she held a top-security position as an administrative secretary. She later served as secretary to the President and General Manager, James Fitzgibbon, at Midwest Manufacturing Corporation.

After moving to Adel, Iowa, Shirley became the high school secretary at ADM Schools, working for Principals Stan Norenberg and Greg DeTimmerman. She often said this was her dream job. Shirley treated students as if they were her own and had a remarkable gift for making every child feel special and cared for. She was deeply loved by students and staff alike.

Spending time with family and attending the many sporting events and activities of her children and grandchildren brought Shirley her greatest joy. She took thousands of photographs over the years and lovingly created scrapbooks for her children and grandchildren, as well as reprints for many others.

Shirley is survived by her children: Lisa (John) Daugherty; Tom Hopewell III; Brenda (Bill) Vernon; and Karen (Joel) Jacobsen. She is also survived by her sisters, Bonnie Jordan and Judy Payne of Burlington; brother-in-law Mark Hopewell of Burlington; sister-in-law Marilyn Hopewell of California; grandchildren Adam Daugherty and Ashley (Joe) Morris; Mason (Kayla) Hopewell, Jarrett Hopewell and Hogan (Courtney) Hopewell; Taylor Vernon and Haley (Matt) Miniea; and Molly (Robbie) McCargar, Abby Jacobsen and Emma Jacobsen. She is further survived by 10 great-grandchildren: Madi, Frank, Jack, Gus, Kiah, CJ, Callie, Sawyer, Marley, and Isabella, as well as many nieces, nephews and other cherished family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tom; her parents; her son, Mike Hopewell; sisters-in-law Betty Ertz, Barbara Cain and Beverly Ann Hopewell; and brothers-in-law Dennis Hopewell, Roy Ertz, and Dick Cain.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be mailed to: 

Karen Jacobsen

1941 S. Warrior Lane

Waukee, Iowa 50263

The memorial will be used to pay off student lunch debts in local school districts.

Visitation will be held Sunday, December 21, 2025, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Adel, Iowa, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a Memorial Service immediately following at 5:00 p.m. Burial will take place Monday, December 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in West Burlington.

The family extends special thanks to the staff at Spurgeon Manor for the wonderful care given to Shirley over the past ten years.