Shirley Vinnece

Eagle Grove/Thor – Shirley Ann (Olson) Vinnece, the daughter and oldest of seven children of Maurice and F. Arlene (Nichols) Olson, was born on Jan. 25, 1943, in Thor, Iowa. She was raised and educated in the area of her birth, graduating from Eagle Grove High School “Class of 1961”.

On Dec. 26, 1962, Shirley was united in marriage with Henry M. (Sonny) Vinnece in Thor. The couple lived many places and raised two daughters in Maryland and Hawaii. They retired to Thor in 1994. Henry preceded her in death on Nov. 1, 1997. Shirley moved to Eagle Grove in 2012.

Shirley was an active member of Ullensvang Lutheran Church in Thor, where she served as head usher and trustee. She also served on the Thor City Counsel and Thor Booster Club.

Shirley worked at the Eagle Grove Greenhouse on and off, for many years – starting at a very young age. She also worked for Ryerson Auction & Realty for 20 years.

Shirley passed away at home on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Eagle Grove, at the age of 79 years. She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her daughters, Marti Clark (Bill) of Wilmot, NH and Wendi Vinnece (Fred Schmieder) of Eagle Grove; niece/goddaughter Katie Kvidera of Kalona; step-grandson, James Bockoven of Fort Dodge; siblings: Joyce Ruberg of Clarion, Maurice “Butch” Olson (Paula) of Thor, Ronald Olson of Thor, LaDonna Van Gorp of Thor, Dean Olson of Humboldt and Maurene Spellmeyer of Woolstock; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Ullensvang Lutheran Church in Thor. Visitation was Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.