Shirley Faye Sandoval
Shirley Faye Sandoval
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Shirley Sandoval Obituary
Shirley loved growing up on the family farm in northern Polk County. She was active in 4-H for many years and showed award-winning steers at the Polk County and Iowa State Fairs. She also loved horses and dogs, including her two horses, Blondie and Joker, and several dogs.
Shirley graduated from North Polk High School in 1967, and then attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, graduating in 1968. She was employed by Des Moines Area Community College for over 35 years, retiring in 2014. In her retirement, she enjoyed gardening, mowing, and spending time with family and friends.
She is survived by her sister, Karin Tomlinson (Roman Katuszonek); brother, Steve Tomlinson; nephews and niece, Dr. Ryan Tomlinson (Paul Mason), Sean Fleming, Jacqueline Fleming (Mark Colley), and John Tomlinson (Jaelynn); great-nephew, Peter Fleming; and great-niece, Nora Tomlinson. She also loved her nephews' dogs, Jersey, Cooper and Ruby, always having a treat ready to greet them. She will also be missed by many cousins and friends, including Sarah Bell and Connie Kappos.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and her long-time companion, Larry Valasek.
The family would like to thank Dr. Josh Lukenbill and Dr. George Voynov, as well as the staffs of Wesley Life Hospice and Israel Family Hospice House for their care.
In accordance with Shirley's wishes, private services will be held at a later date at the White Oak Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Shirley's memory can be made to Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Israel Family Hospice House or Wesley Life Hospice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Diana
September 11, 2025
Please accept our heartfelt condolences from the DMACC PIONEERS Leadership Council.
Dennis Kellogg
September 10, 2025
Shirley was such a sweetheart with a wonderful dry sense humor. She was missed so much when she retired by EVERYONE. Her and Glenda were the "Dynamic Duo" of Bldg.2. Somewhere up there is a desk where Shirley will be helping rookie angels get their wings...and, with a smile and a wink, reminding them to clean up after themselves.
Gary Nelson
September 10, 2025
Shirley was so accommodating to all the instructors at DMACC. She did so much for DMACC and expected so little. She was a five star DMACC employee.
Judith Vogel
September 10, 2025
Shirley worked in the Dean's Office in DMACC, Bldg. 2, for most of the time that I taught speech classes there. Faculty depended on Glenda and Shirley for so many things, and they were always ready and willing to help us any way that they could. My office was right next to the Dean's. My favorite memory of Shirley was hearing her laugh. It often brightened my day. I'll hold her loved ones in my prayers.
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Jean McGee
August 18, 2025
Relatives on the East Coast wish to extend our condolences to the Tomlinson family. Coincidentally Shirley´s cousin Ken Oliver passed away a few days before Shirley. Thank you for the beautiful flowers that the Iowa relatives sent for his service. Ken and I used to love to visit the farm and swing on the bag swing in the back yard and snack on Grandma Hulderson´s kringlas.
Jean McGee (Ruth Hulderson Oliver´s daughter)
Charles Tomlinson
August 15, 2025
I was a cousin that lived in the city (DM) and it was always fun to visit Uncle Dick and kids on the farm. They had a bag swing in a tree in front yard that we kids thought was big fun. We also played games like Red Rover Red Rover and chased each other around a small building in their backyard. I also remember one time a skunk had to be removed from under a chicken coup. I was just an onlooker for that! But I can still remember the smell! Later in life when I saw Shirley she was always very nice to me and we had some old times to remember. From old family pictures, I think a younger Shirley looked like her paternal grandmother. I was very sorry to hear about Shirley's passing. Charlie Tomlinson
Jerry Linn
August 13, 2025
I spent the first quarter of my life as neighbors to the Tomlinson family and enjoyed the friendship and fun that us kids could get into! Shirley is already missed by all of us that knew her and the memories we carry can be cherished for the rest of our lives. To Karin and Steve mine and Pam´s condolences, we hurt too, but Shirley´s suffering is now over. It was good to see her one last time, but hard to see her hurting so.
Jerry and Pam Linn
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4208 North Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, IA 50023
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