Shirley Joan Edler

Shirley Joan Edler joined her Lord & Savior on November 7, 2017. Her celebration of life will take placed at First United Church of Christ, Tipton, Iowa on Saturday, November 11, at 11:00 am. Visitation will be at Fry Funeral Home on Friday, November 10, 4 to 7:00 pm. Shirley was born on July 1, 1931, in Clarence, Iowa to Norma (Kline) and Elmer Brendes. She and her older brother, Robert, and her parents moved to Tipton when she was 7, and Tipton was her lifetime home. She met her future husband, Ed Edler, while in high school. They were married on September 18, 1949, and enjoyed 61 years together. Not long after their marriage, Ed joined his father-in-law in the farm implement business. In 1968, Shirly and Ed took ownership of the dealership, which became Edler Implement Company. Shirley and Ed worked as a team to build a solid family business. Shirley served as office manager and bookkeeper. Throughout her daughter Pam's school years, Shirley was constantly serving in the background: leading a 4-H club, sewing theater costumes, altering band uniforms, organizing parent escorts on school trips, and more. Shirley was inspired to push boundaries on behalf of her daughter and grandchildren. First United Church of Christ in Tipton benefited from Shirley's quiet stewardship, as she helped coordinate an annual Smorgasbord fundraiser and served as a board member of the Women's Fellowship. Special memories, according to Shirley's box of treasures, include the many trips that she and Ed were able to take as Massey Ferguson dealers, summers in Minnesota with the Boddicker family and later with grandchildren, winters in southern Texas with other 'snow bird' friends, and participating in as many her grandchildren's activities as possible. Shirley battled and thrived through many medical adversities, and was a role model of courage. She was kind and appreciative to all care providers throughout her life. Surviving members of Shirley's family include her daughter, Pam Swarts, grandchildren, Lauren and Logan, son-in-law Dr. Randy Swarts, brother-in-law Myrle Edler, plus many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Ed, her parents and her brother, Robert. Shirley has asked that memorials be made to First United Church of Christ, Tipton.