Shirley J. Buttjer-Harmon

Shirley J. Buttjer-Harmon, 65, of Mason City, IA, died Thursday July 2, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue in Mason City, IA. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at the Bethel United Methodist Church, 503 E South St., Manly, IA, with Pastor Don Preston officiating. Interment will be at Dumont Cemetery in Dumont, IA. Shirley was born June 7, 1950, in Hampton, IA, the daughter of Earl and Eleanor (Brattrud) Buttjer. Shirley was united in marriage to David Harmon at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, IA in 1985. She graduated from Greene High School in Greene, IA. She then went on to graduate from Upper Iowa University with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She was employed at Francis Lauer Youth Services before working as a caregiver at Opportunity Village for many years. Shirley was a distinguished Toastmaster and became a District Area Governor Toastmaster. Shirley started the Brew Toastmasters Club in Clear Lake as well as the Storytellers Toastmasters Club in Des Moines. She was proud to be a 4-H leader and Sunday school teacher. Shirley also facilitated grieving classes. Her love of animals was evident with her cats and dogs, especially Tippie and Blackie. She enjoyed music, reading, singing, and playing the guitar and accordion. Shirley is survived by 2 nephews: Jon Buttjer of Northglenn, CO, and Jim Buttjer of Oakbrook Terrace, IL; 2 nieces Dana Dow and Sara Buttjer, both of St. Joseph, IL; 2 great nieces and nephew: Sarah Dow, Abigail Dow, and Joshua Buttjer; sister-in-law Shelley Buttjer of Urbana, IL; many cousins and extended family; and long-time friends and caregivers Ethel Clap of Riceville, IA and Kristin Noland of Rockwell, IA. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband in 2003, brother Earldean Buttjer and many other loving family members.