Shirley Fillman

Shirley Jean Powell Fillman, the daughter of Charles and Lydia Pautsch Powell, was born on September 4, 1927 in Deloit, Iowa and went to be with her Lord April 27, at the Friendship Haven Care Center in Fort Dodge. Shirley lived a full life to the age of 86 years..

The family moved to the Paton area in 1942 where she attended Paton High School and graduated in 1944.  Following high school, Shirley joined the Army Nurse core, but being only 16 years old, she had to wait a year before attending Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in Des Moines where she graduated in 1948.  Shirley worked for one year as assistant head nurse at Iowa Methodist Hospital.  

On November 27, 1949, she was united in marriage to Fred J. Fillman Jr. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie. They moved to the family farm near Paton and spent their entire married lives farming in the Paton community.  Fred and Shirley were blessed with three children, Connie, Craig and Caryn.

Shirley was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Farnhamville and was baptized on October 16, 1927 at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison.  She was a member of the Lutheran Missionary League and taught Sunday school for many years. 

Shirley loved working in the yard and enjoyed endless hours of gardening.  You could often find her volunteering for church projects, visiting friends and family, attending her grandchildren’s athletic events and enjoying time at Spirit Lake.  She regularly visited the nursing home and often delivered flowers and tomatoes, celebrated birthdays and shared her faith with residents.  
Shirley is survived by her husband, Fred Fillman Jr. of Paton; her children: Connie (Richard) Carstens of Jefferson, Craig (Elaine) Fillman of Paton and Caryn (Chuck) Hane of Jefferson, a sister: Gayleen Ruth of Paton, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Kenneth Powell.  

A celebration of Shirley’s life was held Thursday, May 1 at 10:30 a.m. from the Holy Trinity Church in Farnhamville with Pastor Robert Zellmer officiating. Burial was made in the Dawson Township Cemetery west of Paton. Musical selections, “Abide with Me”, “Beautiful Savior” and “Lift High the Cross” were sung by the congregation and accompanied by organist, Marsha Subbert.

Serving as Cross bearers were Charlie Hane and Brayden Parks. Casket bearers were Bobby Johnson, Mike Sams, Peter Parks, Greg Gebhart, Josh Carstens and Matt Bunker. Honorary casket bearers were Joy Johnson, Kelly Sams, Sarah Parks, Nicole Gebhart, Mylissa Carstens and Aimee Bunker. Brown Funeral Home www.brownfuneralhomesiowa.com, 515-386-4125.

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