Shirley Timmins

Shirley Timmins, life-long Plymouth County resident, and active participant, passed away in her home with her family close on February 19, 2021.  She will be dearly missed.

Please direct any memorials to the Le Mars Christian Needs Center, the Plymouth County Museum or Life Skills in Le Mars.

Shirley June Rowe was born October 18, 1925 in Le Mars, IA and was the daughter of Harlan J. and Ethel (Gabel) Rowe.  She grew up on a farm west of Le Mars and graduated from Le Mars high school in 1942.  She attended Westmar College for two years before transferring to the University of Iowa where she received a BS Business degree in 1946.  After college, Shirley worked as a medical secretary at University Psychopathic Hospital in Iowa City and Omaha for two years.  Subsequently, she obtained her teaching license from Wayne State College and taught high school business and Spanish in Correctionville, De Soto, and Hinton, Iowa for several years. She also directed many school musicals.  On August 11, 1951, Shirley married Des Moines man, William H. Timmins, whom she met at the University of Iowa.  The two wed at Plymouth Presbyterian Church, rural Le Mars, where they were life-long members.  They made their home west of Brunsville where they thoroughly enjoyed farm life, and where Shirley had a large vegetable garden and tour-worthy floral gardens.  Bill and Shirley worked as a seamless team and loved to travel as well.  They lived on the farm until 2000 when they retired and moved to Le Mars.  

After marriage, Shirley continued to teach school, both as a full-time and substitute teacher.  She also taught night school typing.  In her home, Shirley taught private piano and organ for over 30 years, and many adults around Plymouth County can remember her counting the time in their ear as well as being reminded to “curve your fingers.”  Shirley served as organist at Plymouth Presbyterian for 60 years, and she directed the junior and adult choirs, taught Sunday and Bible school, held all offices in the Presbyterian Women’s group, served on the Board of Women on the Presbytery level, served as Elder on the Board of Sessions at Plymouth Presbyterian, and was Clerk of Session from 1979 to 2010.  One of her most treasured memories was directing an interdenominational youth choir which presented the musical “Come Together” at several churches in the Plymouth County area during the summer in the early 70s.

Shirley volunteered for many years at Life Skills in Le Mars, the Plymouth County Museum and the hospital gift shop, and she served as board member of Food for Life, Christian Needs Center, the Plymouth County Museum, and the Life Skills Foundation.

Shirley was a life-long gardener and volunteer.  She was a longtime member of AAUW, and was a 50-year member of the Country Gardeners garden club.  In recent years, she was a member of the Women’s Club of Le Mars, the Le Mars chapter of P.E.O., and was a member of the Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary.  She also directed the Brentwood Bell Choir at the Brentwood Good Samaritan Home in Le Mars for several years.

Survivors are daughter Rebecca Timmins, Minnesota and her husband, Michael Barnes; niece Sharon Rowe, Omaha and nephew Steve Rowe (Colleen), Le Mars; and two grand-nephews Keaton Rowe (Taylor), Le Mars and Hunter Rowe, Sioux Falls.  She is also survived by sister-in-law Marilyn Argenta, Fruita, Colorado; nieces Sydney Coder, Des Moines; Le Ann Eckhart (Tom) Fruita, Colorado; nephew David Argenta, Fruita, Colorado; extended family members; and many, many friends and neighbors who looked after her.  Rhonda Mahan, A Little Help Home Care, and loyal friend and neighbor, Fern Schulz, lovingly assisted her and allowed her to remain in her own home.  

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; niece Leslie Campbell; brother and sister-in-law Dean and Jean Rowe; brothers-in-law Dave Argenta and Bob Timmins; and sister-in-law Janet Timmins.