Obituary: Shirley Teresa McGarvey

Shirley Teresa McGarvey, 89, of Traer, Iowa, formerly of Eagle Center, passed away  peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026, surrounded by her family at Sunrise Terrace Apartments  in Traer.  

Shirley was born on April 23, 1936, in Elma, Iowa, the daughter of Wilfred and Teresa  (Madden) Keefe. She was baptized at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elma and  confirmed at St. John’s Catholic Church in Waterloo. She attended Our Lady of Victory  Academy (OLVA) in Waterloo.  

On March 1, 1954, Shirley was united in marriage to James McGarvey at St. John’s  Catholic Church in Waterloo. After briefly living near Jesup, they returned to farm at Eagle  Center in January 1955, where they built a life together and farmed until 2015. Shirley spent  countless years in the seed corn fields proudly leading multiple detasseling and roguing crews.  

Shirley was a devoted member of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, where  she served as a past president of the Rosary Society and was active in church events, picnics,  and breakfasts. She generously shared her time and talents whenever needed. She was also a  member of ACCW and served as a CCD teacher.  

A lifelong card player, Shirley delighted in playing with generations of family and friends.  Anyone fortunate enough to sit at her table knew the joy she brought to the game. She  supported her children in their 4-H projects and continued that tradition with her grandchildren  and great-grandchildren by attending county fairs.  

Holidays were especially meaningful to Shirley. She took great care to make each child,  grandchild, great grandchild, and great-great grandchild feel loved—especially at Christmas.  Shirley was also a proud member of the IH Collectors Club and the John Deere  Collectors Club. She and Jim traveled to many national shows and faithfully brought tractors to  Antique Acres for over 60 years, even competing in and winning a tractor pull.  Shirley and Jim shared a love for travel and adventure. They took many memorable  road trips, including camping in Alaska for their 50th wedding anniversary. They also spent 23  cherished years as Winter Texans, enjoying time in the Rio Grande Valley with their San Juan  Gardens family in San Juan, Texas.  

She is lovingly survived by her seven children: Pat (Cathy) McGarvey of Mt.  Auburn; Mary Lou (Scott) Drnovsek of Thornton, CO; Jeannie Waite (Craig Embretson) of Palo;  Eddie (Sara) McGarvey of Buckingham; Judy Fisher of Janesville; Jackie McGarvey (Mary Lou  

Culwell) of Siesta Key, FL; and Carol (Don) Faulkner of Olathe, KS. She was blessed with 21  grandchildren: Jennifer, Jay (Joyce), David (Tosha), Mallory (Nik), Sam (Miranda), Shelby (Mike),  Derek (Andrea), Devon (Kristina), Dustin (Marja), Dawn (Brian), Justine (Drew), Steven (Kaylee),  Ben (Ashton), David (Ashley), Keir, Hayley, Olivia, Daniel, Adam (Lexi), Miranda (Jeiffry), and  Tony. She is also survived by 35 great-grandchildren: Marcelo (Skylar), Luis, Selena (Sam),  Mikia (Madeline), Sandra, Scarlett, Jaxson, Hannah, Wyatt, Clementine, Ryken, Larkyn,  Montgomery, Dorothy, Jettson, Asher, Colter, Mara, Josey, Piper, Emmett, Isaac, Evan, Brynlee,  Ellie, Cole, AJ, Arya, Autumn, Amber, Teaza (Sharrod), DJ (Cleaira), Milo, Cohen, and Benji.  Eight great-great-grandchildren also survive her: Ariana, Javier, Leonel, Love Lita, Thea, Iris,  Azarye, and Zy’Aira. She is further survived by her brothers- and sisters-in-law: Ronald Cottrell,  Judy Keefe, David Carlson, Margaret Ann Steffen, Jim Weber, Carol McGarvey, Wayne (Becky)  McGarvey, Paula (Ken) Ladage, and Beth (Bill) Taylor, along with many nieces and nephews.  

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim McGarvey (November  2025); her parents, Wilfred and Teresa Keefe; her in-laws, Sylvester and Blanche McGarvey;  sons-in-law Steve Fisher and Gene Engelkes; her siblings and siblings in laws: Marie Adams;  Dorothy and Eugene Moore; Joe and Mary Keefe; Rita and Verlyn Mayer; Colleen Cottrell;  Robert Francis (infant); Jim Keefe; Georgia Carlson; Mary Alice Weber; Frances Marie (infant);  Tom McGarvey; and Cletus Steffen.  

Visitation will be held at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, 1435 East Eagle Road, rural  Waterloo, on Friday, April 17, from 4:00–7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on 

Saturday, April 18, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will also be held one  hour prior to the service.