Shirley Ann (Horton) Nelson, 84, Akron, Iowa passed away Saturday February 7, 2026, at Akron Care Center Akron, Iowa.

Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, February 16, 2026 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will begin at 1:00 P.M. and continue until service time at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Shirley's name to Akron Care Center (991 Hwy 3 Akron, Iowa 51001) or Wesley United Methodist Church (350 Main St. Akron, Iowa 51001).

Shirley was born November 6, 1941, in Akron, Iowa to Clarence "Red" and Arlene Horton.

Shirley worked for State Farm in Akron and was the first face you saw when entering the office. Her smile was contagious and welcoming. Shirley was a member of Friendship and Service Club for 63 years. The Opera House, Akron Thrift Store, card clubs and various activities through the years kept her busy. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron and served several positions. Shirley was often decorating fellowship tables for the holidays and helping with kitchen duties.

Shirley was an artist at heart and found joy in many mediums of art. She spent time cross-stitching, quilting, sewing, painting and calligraphy. Shirley had beautiful handwriting and loved sending cards to family and friends. She used her talent to make signs for friends' yards celebrating birthdays; the annual Scarecrow festival or other shenanigans played in good fun.

Shirley lived in Akron, Iowa, Centerville, South Dakota, Hawarden, Iowa, Lincoln, Nebraska and Elk Point, South Dakota. She traveled to Acapulco, Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas and Black Hills area as well as other vacation spots. Akron was the place she called home.

Shirley will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Tammy (Todd) Colt of Sioux Center, Iowa, Teresa (Dan) Ansel of Gardner, Kansas and Toni (Keith) Hall of Elk Point, South Dakota; grandchildren: Tarah (Joe) Kooima of Sioux Center, Iowa, Braydon (Sarah) Ansel of Wellsville, Kansas, Tana (Thomas) Stewart of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Bryce (Megan) Ansel of Baldwin City, Kansas,  Tyler Hall of Thorton, Colorado and Tayler (Levi) Kenny of Carroll, Nebraska; great grandchildren: Cooper Ansel, Bowen Kooima, Colter Kooima, Theo Stewart, Milo Ansel, Turner Stewart, Marley Ansel and Thatcher Stewart; her siblings: Patty Torgerson of Phoenix, Arizona, Rich (Paula) Horton of Hurley, South Dakota, Rose (Tom) Gereau of Janesville, Wisconsin, Karel (Verlyn) Dekkers of Hawarden, Iowa, Mary Horton of Akron, Iowa and Robert (Tammy) Horton of Hawarden, Iowa.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, and grandson Anthony Hall.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Akron Care Center and St. Croix Hospice for their care and compassion.