Lois Jean Shea

Lois Jean Shea, 77, of Waukee, IA, passed away on November 13, 2017 peacefully at home with her family. Visitation will be held Friday, November 17, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with Funeral Services to follow at 7:00 p.m., both at Ernst Funeral Home in Waukee. Interment at Highland Memory Gardens in Des Moines. Lois was born on April 20, 1940 to Richard and Henrietta (Stalzer) Stackhouse. She was welcomed by three sisters Erma, Shirley and Dorothy. Lois and her sisters grew up on the farm and loved to sing while milking the cows. Word got around and before long people were lining up on the road at milking time to listen to them sing. Lois loved her farm animals, but one cat, Greedy, was her favorite. Lois said she was the best momma cat ever. Lois attended school in Haverhill and McCallsburg Iowa, graduating in 1957. After graduation, Lois moved to Des Moines and worked at Bankers Life. Lois worked in an office setting most of her life, except when she was an assistant librarian at the Linden Elementary School. Her final job prior to retirement was with Iowa Des Moines Supply where she was employee of the year in 1997 & 1999. Lois married Robert White on February 20, 1961. From this union, two children were born; Christine Lynn and Shelley Jean. They were later divorced in 1982. Lois met William (Bill) Shea and was united in marriage on June 28, 1984 until Bill's death on December 4, 2000. Lois enjoyed many things in life, including coaching and playing softball, horseback riding, walking beans, gardening, canning, camping, fishing and traveling. She was the life of the party and enjoyed spending time with all of her family and friends. She was easy to love and was loved by many. Lois is survived by her sisters Erma Klug of Stoughton, Wisconsin, Shirley Wismer of Story City and Dorothy Lesher of Loveland, Colorado; daughters Christine (Mark) Drake of Bagley and Shelley (Norman) Wagaman of Waukee; stepchildren Marcie (Larry) Lago and children Austin and Ashley of Spirit Lake, Robert White and children Jennifer, Robin and Kelley of Panora and Suzy (Ron) Miller and children Amber, Ian and Lexy of Adel; grandchildren Robert Wagaman of West Des Moines, Scott (Angie) Wagaman of Des Moines, Mark Wagaman of Waukee, Anthony (Tamara) Sheeder of Bayard, Christopher (Kassi) Sheeder and Emily Grow of Jefferson; 27 great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. Lois was preceded in death by her parents Richard and Henrietta Stackhouse; husbands Bill Shea and Robert White; mothers and fathers-in-law Francis and Lorraine Shea and Robert and Hilder White; sister-in-law Linn Cunningham, brothers-in-law Gene Klug, Laverne Wismer and Dan Lesher and nephews Michael and Hal Peterson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in Lois' name to The Ronald McDonald House or St. Croix Hospice.