Shirley Mae Weyant, 87, of Nevada, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone.

Shirley was born on May 3, 1937 in Hawkeye, Iowa to Raymond and Nellie (Nixon) Jarchow. She attended school in Fayette, where she participated in mixed chorus, girl’s glee club, class plays, Pep Club and band, graduating in 1954. She enjoyed riding her pony, and was particularly proud of a poodle skirt she bought with her own money.

Shirley met Donald Eugene Weyant while he was home on military leave. Shirley and Don were married on July 17, 1954 in Fayette, and spent the first many years of their marriage farming. Shirley maintained a large garden every year, keeping their seven children-well fed with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Shirley worked at Northrup King Seed, but was better known for her time spent as a very successful Avon representative. Shirley’s customers would ultimately become lifelong friends, and she earned numerous awards for her success in sales. Shirley and Don later worked in rental property management, taking care of an apartment complex in Nevada and then maintaining the Country Club Estates and selling mobile homes for Flummerfelt Homes.

Shirley was described as having enduring strength and courage, which was recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Nevada Police Department in 1988 when she chased down and apprehended would-be thieves trying to help themselves to the complex’s coin-operated laundry machines. Shirley’s classmates believed she was merely living out the senior prophecy from their yearbook that stated Shirley would “break the women’s long-distance track record in the 1964 Olympics.” Those foolish young men didn’t stand a chance against Shirley’s inexplicable speed and experience corralling children.

Shirley enjoyed going on car rides and visiting family, and exploring the country with Don in their Coachmen motor home. The kept it parked at Twin Acres in Colo, and enjoyed all of the peace that comes with camping and fishing. When she wasn’t at the campground or sneaking off to the casino, she enjoyed trips with her daughters to local wineries and visits to Dairy Queen for hot fudge sundaes. Shirley’s fascination with deer was legendary; she could frequently be found on her deck watching deer in the field behind their house. A drive around Hickory Grove in their brand-new car once ended with a run-in with an errant deer. Instead of worrying about the damage to the car, she checked on the deer and was simply relieved when it jumped over the fence and into a field.

Shirley enjoyed knitting, crocheting, playing cards and games, putting together puzzles, and was a fantastic cook. She was recognized as the “Cook of the Week” by the Nevada Journal in an article that featured many of the family’s favorite recipes. Shirley loved her large family dearly, and her support of them had no limits. She loved it when her kids and grandchildren dropped in, and always had a pot of coffee on and sweets available in case there were visitors. These special moments will be missed so dearly by all who loved her.

Shirley is survived by her sons Donald (Karen) Weyant of Waldron, Arkansas and Jim (Holly) Weyant of Nevada; her daughters Mick (Doug) Simmons of Panora, Chris Kraaz of Zearing, Danette Clark (friend, Dave) of Boone, Jana (Dave) Ballantyne of Nevada, and Kim (Connie) Weyant of Huxley; her grandchildren Nikki Weyant, Donald Weyant, Steven Weyant, Raylene Papenfus, Megan Gawlik, Lisa Sytsma, Melanie Parker, Lori Wesack, Eric Johnson, Shane Creger, Shannon Andersen, Matt Clark, Doug Clark, Nicole Slater, Jessica Anderson, Garrett Anderson, Brittany Ballantyne, Paul Halterman, Andy Halterman, Brandon Kew, Chris, Kew, Ashley Davis, Chris Ortega, Jessica Rosenboom, Aaron Weyant, Sam Crane, Ali Jean Weyant, James Weyant, Blake Davenport, Austin Davenport, and Elizabeth Davenport; thirty great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and multiple nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Donald, her parents; her brother, Martin, sister-in-law, Sally, and her grandchildren Joshua Weyant, twins John and Jeffrey Weyant, Julie Mathis, and Bryan Strum.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Iowa Cremation. No public ceremony will be planned. The family will celebrate and honor their beloved mother and grandmother at a later date where she’ll be reunited with Don in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

In appreciation for the exceptional care Shirley received by the staff at Easter Star Masonic Home, memorial donations can be directed to the Eastern Star resident activities programming. 

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