Shirley Rae Cowles, 68 of Hubbard, passed away Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames following a battle with lung cancer.

A celebration of Shirley's life will be 2-4 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home (1418 Fawcett Pkwy) in Nevada. Private burial will be at the Lincoln Township Cemetery in Zearing at a later date for immediate family.

Shirley was born October 23, 1955, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Leon Keith and Avonelle Marie (Norton) Moss. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 1973 and majored in elementary education at Ellsworth Community College and Iowa State University. On November 6, 1976, she was united in marriage to Randy Lee Cowles at the Windsor Presbyterian Church in Windsor Heights, Iowa.

Shirley started her career as a secretary for Olan Mills where she would meet her husband. She taught school and was a teacher's aide at Colo-NESCO and several surrounding districts. Following her education career, Shirley went to work at Vahalla in Story City and at the Country House in Colo. Many years were spent as a farm wife, where she cared for many animals, including horses, dogs, cats and birds.

Shirley was a member of Eastern Star, Adlephic Lodge and was a 4-H leader and a Girl Scout Leader. She enjoyed crafting, including sewing, quilting, ceramics and most recently diamond painting. Shirley loved the outdoors, especially the times spent at Yellow River Forest trout fishing.

Shirley is survived by her children Eric (Tina) Cowles of Gilbert and Lisa (John) Platte of Hubbard; her grandchildren Kyleigh, Sidney, Ryan and Edyn Cowles, Emma Stanley, Dustin (Wynde) Platte, Josh Brown, Tommy Platte, Jacob, Nico and Dillon Brown, Jennifer Platte, Mercedes Riley, Hannah Riley, Brady Riley and Kaden Hardy; her great-grandchildren Henry Joel and Clara Platte; her siblings Carol Stone of Des Moines, Leonard (Sharon) Moss of LeGrande; Janet Epstein and Karla (Robert) Santi of Madrid. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her daughter Melanie Hardy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Story County Animal Rescue League in Nevada, Iowa in memory of Shirley.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.