Joan L. Shelgren

May 22, 1931 - January 18, 2012

Services for Joan L. Shelgren 81 of Gilmore City will be held Friday, 10:30 AM at Faith United Methodist Church in Gilmore City with burial to follow in Clinton Garfield Cemetery, Rolfe. Visitation is from 5-7 PM Thursday at the Harris Funeral Home in Gilmore City. Joan Lou Shelgren, the daughter of Roy and Mildred (Saturn) Enockson was born on May 22, 1931. She graduated from Ottosen High School where she was an avid basketball player. Joan went on to work at Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator in Humboldt. She was united in marriage to Lowell Shelgren on March 14, 1954, in Ottosen, IA. After their marriage, the couple lived and farmed in the Gilmore City area. Joan was a devoted wife and mother and raised five children. She was an avid bowler; enjoyed sports (especially the Twins), and many different hobbies including china painting. She received national recognition from the National China Painter?s Association for her wolf painting which was displayed in Oklahoma City for one year. She was a 4-H leader, and was active in UMW, church choir, and historian for UMW and China Painters. She is survived by her five children: Mary Gonsior (Patrick)and their children Kevin and Kelly of Loveland, CO; Keith Shelgren (Ardis) of Rolfe, IA and their children Steven of Rolfe, IA and David (Lacey) of Pocahontas, IA; Katie Woods of W. Des Moines, IA and her daughter Meghan (Joe) Szymkowicz of St. Louis, MO and step-son Matt (Rachel) Woods of Collins, IA; Mike Shelgren of Gilmore City, IA; and Jenny Petersmeyer (Dave) of Savage, MN; her sister, Barbara Anderson of Humboldt, IA. and many cousins. She is preceded in death by her husband Lowell, her parents Roy and Mildred (Saturn) Enockson, baby daughter Susan, and son-in-law Rod Woods. The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, and neighbors who took care of her over the years and a special thank you to the Paula J. Barber Hospice Home in Ft. Dodge. Also, a special thanks to brother Mike for his devoted care of Mom. Online condolences to www.harrisfuneralservices.com