Shirley Ann Kephart

Shirley Kephart...the finest, quirky person hardly anyone had the chance to meet.

Lawrence Baumgartner and Bernice Stalzer were married in April 1947, and not long after, Shirley Kephart was born into this world on July 2, 1948. She was the only child of Bernice and Lawrence, tragically losing her father to heart failure when she was just 2 years old.

Following up on a newspaper ad for a nanny, Bernice soon met Harold Elbert, a recently widowed father. Harold quickly realized that Bernice naturally fit in as a caregiver for his children, and on October 29, 1951, Shirley became a sister. She was swept up into what became a "yours, mine and ours" family of 13, as she would fondly describe it when asked about her family growing up. Shirley took great pride in her family and in where she grew up in Iowa, often reminiscing about growing up and working on the farm.

Shirley graduated from Bishop Garrigan Schools (Algona) in 1966. The memories are foggy, but among the efforts to find herself, Shirley briefly dipped her toes in convent life, but pivoted to continue education at Iowa State University, studying Dietetics and pursuing a Food Service Management Associates degree. While in college, Shirley met her lifetime partner, Roscoe "Bud" Kephart, in August 1970. Bud graduated in 1971, and Shirley graduated in 1972. They initially parted ways-Bud to Bentley, IA, and Shirley to Des Moines, IA, where she went to work at Methodist Hospital-but they kept up their correspondence through letters. The distance couldn't keep them apart, and they were married on August 3, 1974.

Together they managed the typical American household, complete with a dog, Sonny, and two kids, Stephanie and Jeff, who were just about four years apart. With Bud primarily working to support the family, Shirley stayed home with the kids. After years of helping her kids through the early years of elementary school, Shirley insisted it was time to work outside the home.

Shirley's work life centered around food service: serving, cooking and baking. Throughout her working years, Shirley took every opportunity to stay on top of technology. As soon as the VCR was released, she made sure there was one in the home. Home computer? Quickly made a home in her house. Mobile phone? Got one. DVD player? Showed up with that and plenty of DVDs to watch.

Shirley may never have been aware of this, but her determination to keep up with technology may have subtly shaped her kids' savvy IT skills and the work they do today!

Shirley retired in 2010 after 19 years with the West Des Moines Schools, where she proudly worked in the kitchen of almost every school in the district and spent at least four years as Head Cook at Valley High School.

Having a knack for crafts and music since what seemed like second to learning to walk, Shirley spent a significant portion of free time crafting and playing the organ. She also loved to sing and took up those skills in the church choir. From latch hook, sewing clothes for herself and family, and painting in her younger years, she made her own wedding and bridesmaids' dresses-and then, almost 30 years later, made the bridesmaids' dresses for her daughter's wedding.

The crafting continued with grandkids under her wing, her table sprawled with Pixos and Perler Beads to entertain them and pass down her love of creating. Shirley would happily demonstrate her skills as an organist all throughout her life, spending much time at Critchetts. As she grew older, her project table grew in complexity, filled with intricate Diamond Dotz and PixelHobby mosaics.

Funny, the similarities that jump out of people's memories...

Shirley's sisters from growing up, her kids from their childhood, and her grandson Eli all fondly recall burnt food resulting from Shirley's trials and tribulations in the kitchen. From burnt food prepared by an older sister heading up cooking dinner to feed her siblings on the farm, to burnt pancakes from the well-used electric skillet in the '80s, and decades later, burned drippings left in the often-used hot oven while whipping up Christmas dinner.

Not all of Shirley's concoctions were a miss, though. She made legendary peppermint popcorn balls and a tasty pea salad, loved by anyone who had the chance to enjoy them.

Shirley loved to cook, but was never fond of cleanup. That was likely the cause of Shirley quickly relinquishing her chef hat at home after retirement so she no longer had to do either!

Bud and Shirley were kindred lovers of ice cream. Her grandkids remember what seemed like a never-ending supply of ice cream bars in the deep freeze. That didn't stop as they aged! There are at least 10 boxes of White Chocolate Raspberry Häagen-Dazs in the Kephart deep freeze as we speak!

Her daughter Stephanie remembers while in college, if she expressed interest in any shows or movies, Shirley would make sure she determined when they aired on TV and recorded everything for her on VHS. Surely with similar motivation, her granddaughter Maura remembers watching non-stop Barbie movies with Grandma. Shirley likely purchased every Barbie movie available on DVD at the time, simply because she loved her kids and grandkids and whatever they loved.

Everything Shirley loved, she put her all into-buying every version, volume, accessory and color imaginable.

Shirley prevailed despite severe struggles with depression and anxiety. She was clever, sarcastic, enthusiastic, supportive and self-assured. She never forgot anything and never said goodbye. She said her dad told her that "goodbye" is final, so we shouldn't say that.

Instead, every visit ended with an "I love you," a "see you later, alligator," and a smile. Gonna miss that smile. See you later, alligator...Shirls.

Preceded in death by:

Father, Lawrence Baumgartner (November 26, 1950); Mother, Bernice Elbert (December 4, 2009); Step-Father, Harold John Elbert (September 22, 1988); Brothers, Harold William Elbert (December 9, 2015) and William C. Elbert (December 17, 2022)

Survived by:

Brothers and Sisters: Deanne Elbert (Harold Willam) of Mission, TX; Kathleen and Carl Hunter of Northfield, MN; Linda and Phil Lind of Backus, MN; Marcia and Dale Place of Lake City, MN; Julie Leigh of Kennewick, WA; Walter and Darlene Elbert of Emmetsburg; Karen Reinsbach of Souix Falls, SD; Daniel Elbert of Florissant, CO; Brian and Doris Elbert of Ponce de Leon, FL.

Beloved husband: Roscoe "Bud" Kephart.

Children: Daughter Stephanie Hanson (Steven) of Columbia, MO; Son Jeff Kephart (Sarah Kutz) of Ankeny, IA.

Grandchildren: Elijah and Maura Hanson; Sophia, Liam and Jackson Kephart.

Please consider donating to the following charities on behalf of Shirley:

https://www.nationalmssociety.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give/media-campaign-donation-page?form=FUNTQYTXDWL&utm_source=sc&utm_medium=semg&utm_campaign=drefy26_core_brand&referrer=sc-drefy26-core-brand-semg&gad_source=1

https://donate.cancer.org/

A visitation will be held on October 1, 2026 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home (8201 Hickman Rd. Urbandale, IA 50322) from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., with a rosary prior, starting at 4:30 p.m.. A Funeral Mass will be held on October 2, 2026 at St. Ambrose Cathedral (607 High St, Des Moines, IA 50309) at 10:00 a.m. with a burial following at Resthaven Cemetery.