Nancy Joan Shelley

Nancy Joan Shelley, age 73 of Larrabee, IA, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025, at her home in Larrabee, surrounded by her family. Memorial services will take place at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee, IA. Pastor Mike Agnew will officiate. Burial will be held at a later date. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee, IA, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.
Nancy Joan Shelley, the daughter of Carl and Alta (Duncan) Shupe was born March 5, 1952, in Iowa City, IA. Her childhood years were spent in Sloan, IA, where she attended school and graduated from Westwood High School in 1970. Nancy was united in marriage to Wilbur Ankrum. They were blessed with three sons, Shane, Jason, and Brandon. Following their marriage, they lived south of Cushing where she helped on the farm and worked at Casey's. They later separated. On November 5, 1998, Nancy was united in marriage to Joe Shelley at Spring Lake Park in Cherokee, IA. They made their home in Larrabee, IA. She worked at Wilson Foods for many years until her retirement. Nancy was a member of the Cushing Methodist Church. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, and attending races in Knoxville, IA, with Joe. She loved flowers, was a fabulous cook, and enjoyed trying new restaurants. She was known for her wonderful chicken and noodles and Sunday pot roast. Most of all, she enjoyed the time spent with her family and friends. On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Nancy passed away at her home in Larrabee, IA, surrounded by her family at the age of 73. She was preceded by her parents, Carl and Alta Shupe; and her siblings, Rubye Pittman, Betty Cleveland, Mary McInerney, Evonne Baker, Phyllis Bauer, Margaret Bauman, Herschel Shupe, Howard Shupe, Raymond Shupe, Edgar Shupe, Ernest Shupe, Duane Shupe, Donald Shupe, Gary Shupe, Robert Shupe, and Rick Shupe. One grandson, Noah Ankrum. She will lovingly be remembered by her husband, Joe Shelley of Larrabee, IA; her three sons, Shane Ankrum of Cherokee, IA, Jason Ankrum (special friend Whitney) of Sioux City, IA, and Brandon (Elizabeth) Ankrum of Cherokee, IA; sisters, Vera (Morey) Copple of Sloan, IA, and Debbie (Ken) Poulsen of Sioux City, IA, six grandchildren, Trevor, Britton, Ethan, Madilyn, Hayden, and Owynn Ankrum; three great-grandchildren, Dacian, Ares, and Grayson Ankrum; and other relatives and friends.