Shirley Jean Frost

Shirley Jean Frost age 85 of Nashua, IA, died Friday, October 31, 2025, at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly, IA.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 8, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Nashua, with Rev. Todd Burrichter officiating. Interment will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery, Nashua.
Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2025, at Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory – Olson Chapel in Nashua. Visitation continues one hour before services at the church on Saturday.
Today with heavy hearts, but also with immense gratitude, we are celebrating the beautiful life of Shirley Frost-a truly loving, caring, and hardworking wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Shirley always had a smile on her face and maintained a wonderful positive attitude about life, a spirit we will forever cherish.
Shirley's life began in Rockwell, Iowa. Born Shirley Jean Muhlstein, she spent her early years on a farm just outside of the town of Rockwell, sharing her childhood with her parents, two brothers, and sister. Even after the family moved into Rockwell, the farm life, and the values it instilled, remained a part of her soul. Shirley's determined spirit showed itself early; not wanting to be left behind while her older siblings attended school, she persistently asked her parents until she was allowed to start at the remarkable age of four. This drive led her to excel, even playing basketball, and ultimately graduating from Rockwell High School in May of 1957.
After high school, Shirley moved to Mason City, Iowa, and shared an apartment with her girlfriends. She worked in retail for a short time. A favorite pastime she shared with her siblings was rollerskating, and it was there she met the love of her life, Earl Frost, a man who carried the unique titles of both Navy sailor and farmer.
Their wedding, originally planned for March 15, 1959, was delayed by a massive blizzard-a fitting, dramatic start to what would be a long and loving partnership. Shirley married Earl on March 16, 1959, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockwell at the age of 19, and she immediately moved to the Frost farm, East of Nashua. Upon moving, she joined Earl as a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Nashua, where she actively participated by sewing quilts, baking cookies and bars, and engaging in many other church activities.
From this loving union, Shirley and Earl were blessed with four children: Alan, Cindy, Julie, and Jodi. She poured her heart into raising them, creating a home filled with love, discipline, and the smell of fresh baking. She was a true pillar of the farm life she loved so dearly, helping with every aspect of the work, both inside and out. She wasn't afraid of a challenge; you could find her operating equipment, disking and plowing fields to prepare them for planting.
She taught her four children the joy and hard work of farm life, from milking dairy cows, raising beef cattle and pigs, to gathering eggs. Her dedication never wavered: even after her husband Earl went to be with God on May 26, 1998, Shirley continued farming. Her commitment was legendary-she operated the combine for harvest until she was eighty years old.
Shirley also enjoyed being part of the Bradford Homemakers Club, which provided her with cherished social time away from the farm, enjoying activities, stories, and good food with friends.
Beyond the fields, her love for nurturing extended to her beautiful flower gardens. She also maintained a bountiful vegetable garden, canning almost everything imaginable, and excelled in the kitchen, loving to cook and bake and proudly entering her goods at the local Big Four Fair. Shirley also found joy in the simple pleasures of the outdoors, loving to travel, and enjoying those memorable family camping trips where marshmallows were roasted, and she was always sure to brag about catching the first or the largest fish.
As her family grew, Shirley later took great pride in her seven grandchildren, spending as much time with them as possible. She lovingly shared her world, showing them the ropes of gardening, field work, and raising pigs and beef cattle. She attended their sporting events, baptisms, confirmations and other events. Her dedication to her grandchildren was unwavering. She was always there to provide support, give advice, help, or just listen. Whether it meant watching them, picking them up, or taking them to practices, she was the reliable presence they could always count on.
She truly shone during the holidays. She made every holiday special, from the full, delicious meals at Thanksgiving to the meticulously planned Easter egg hunts for both the children and the adults. At Christmas, she enjoyed the delight of the family, especially the grandchildren, with specially selected gifts and an abundance of homemade cookies, candies, and famous popcorn balls.
Later in life, her heart expanded even further for her eight great-grandchildren: Harper, Addyson, Caden, Carson, Callan, Jacie, Lennox, and Lanna. They always put a smile on her face. She loved holding their little hands and feet and sharing her world with them.
Shirley Frost was a woman of immense strength, deep devotion, and tireless effort. She taught us the value of hard work, the joy of a good fishing story, and the importance of family. Her love of the land and her family are the beautiful legacy she leaves behind.
In the final years of her life, when the onset of Alzheimer's required difficult decisions, the strength of Shirley's family bond shone through. We devotedly provided care for her at home for two and a half years. Later, she received care at Whispering Willows in Fredericksburg and then received compassionate support when moved to Bartels skilled nursing care for the last nine months of her life.
We are incredibly comforted knowing that she is no longer suffering and has gone to live with our Lord. We will forever treasure the countless memories and the precious time that we were given to spend with her.
Shirley is survived by her children, Al Frost of Plainfield, IA, Cindy Frost of Nashua, IA, Julie (Steve) Hurd of Nashua, IA, and Jodi Green of Nashua, IA; seven grandchildren, Jami (John) Mallen, Mark (Ashley) Wedeking, Jacob Frost, Danielle (Cody) Hurd, Dakota (Allie) Hurd, Jesse (Jewel) Hurd, and Jordyn Frost; eight great-grandchildren, Jacie Hurd, Carson Hurd, Callan Hurd, Lennox Wedeking, Lanna Wedeking, Harper Mallen, Addyson Mallen, and Caden Mallen; one sister-in-law, Dolores (Ken) Messmore, one niece, Kandi (Brad) Johnson, one nephew, Terry (Pattie) Muhlstein
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Earl, in 1998; two brothers, Robert and Jerry Muhlstein; three sisters, Mary Lou Muhlstein, Dixie and Daisy Muhlstein; son-in-law, Jay Green.
Poem
Shirley's life was defined by the rhythm of the seasons and the love of her kin. We share this poem now as a final farewell to her work on earth:
Close the Gate (Adapted from the poem by Nancy Kraayenhof)
For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head, Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed. Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended, Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended.
You raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the Son, Hang up your shovel inside of the barn; your work here on earth is done. Your love of God's soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like fine wine, Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time.
Your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait, Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.
John 14:1–3 (NIV)
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
She will be profoundly missed, but the love and warmth she shared will forever remain in our hearts.