Shirley L. Sanders, 87 of Akron, IA, passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at her home.

Funeral Service will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron, Iowa. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Akron. Visitation with the family present will begin at noon on Wednesday and continue until the service starts. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com

Shirley Lynette Malcom was born on December 16, 1937 in Sioux City, Iowa to Willis Dean and Mary (Losie) Malcom. She was raised in the Sioux City area and she graduated from Westfield High School in Westfield, Iowa. Shirley was united in marriage to Dan Sanders on February 15, 1961. They traveled while Dan was in the service and settled in Akron in the early 1970's.

Shirley worked as a nurses' aide for the Akron Care Center for over 30 years. She was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron.

Shirley enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and shopping trips to Walmart to stock up on her favorite snacks. She loved twinkies, original potato chips, Vienna sausages, coke, coffee, tea, and her go-to cheese wiz sandwiches.

Shirley is survived by three sons: WC (Sarah) Sanders, Robert (Norma) Sanders and Brian Sanders; grandchildren: Kaylee (Lindsey), Vanessa (Dereck), Maddie (Caleb), Macallister (Erica), Dylan, Chase, Yessenia, Carlos, and Norma L; 11 great grandchildren; siblings: Laura Jean (Charlie) Hughes, Patricia Button, Roberta (Lester) Van Buskirk; and nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dean and Mary; husband, Dan Sander; brothers: Allen and Gus Malcolm; and sisters: Judith Lanning and Connie.