Shirley M. Potratz Steele, age 85, of Washington, Iowa, died Monday, January 7, 2019, at the Halcyon House in Washington, Iowa. Celebration of life services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2019, at the Ainsworth Community Church in Ainsworth, Iowa with Pastor Trey Hegar officiating. Calling hours will begin 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington, Iowa, where the family will be present to receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday evening.
Interment will be held at Schrock Cemetery at a later date. Memorials have been established for Blair House or Master Gardeners. Online condolences may be sent for Shirley’s family through the web at www.
jonesfh.com. Shirley was born June 25, 1933, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Edward and Mary (Essley) Potratz. She attended Oakland Country School and graduated from Brighton High School.
She was united in marriage to Eugene Steele in March of 1957. They later divorced. Shirley was later married to Dr. Clint Rila on December 7, 2013.
Shirley was a lifelong resident of Washington County. She worked for attorney John Baldridge and later in the Washington County Auditors Office for many years. Most recently she worked for Washington Title and Guaranty Company.
Shirley attended the United Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant. She was a member of the Son Seekers Bible Study Group and Silver Sneakers Exercise Club.
Shirley loved gardening and was a Master Gardner. She was active in Singles in Agriculture holding both local and national offices and served on the Board of Directors of the Blair House. Shirley was a member of the Spokebusters Bike Club and was proud to have rode on 41 RAGBRAIs.
She is survived by her son, David Steele and wife Diana of Belmont, WI; son, Dennis Steele and wife Donna of Coralville, IA; one grandson, Clinton Steele of Houston, TX; two step granddaughters, Chrissy and Leah; and step great granddaughter, Anna; step son, Chuck Rila and wife Sherry of Mt. Pleasant, IA; step daughter, Margaret Richter and husband Stacy of Justin, TX. Shirley is also survived by six siblings: Wynne Steele and husband Oscar of Riverside, IA; Frances Potratz of Marion, IA; Ruth O’Connor and husband Larry of Altoona, IA; Betty Oehler of Murietta, CA; Stan Potratz and wife Jean of Washington, IA; Vivian Rothe of Washington, IA; brother-in-law, Wayne Mills of Boise, ID; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Dr. Clint Rila in 2018; sister, Kathryn Mills and brother-in-law, Ed Oehler. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Shirley Steele please visit our Sympathy Store.
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