Shirley LouAnn Fox, 87, of Oelwein, passed away on Thursday May 7, 2026. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:30 AM on Saturday May 16, 2026 at Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein. Funeral services to honor her life will begin at 11:30 AM with Pastor Roland Waterman officiating. The family welcomes guests to join them for the burial following the service at Greenwood Cemetery, 10245 W Ave, Westgate. A luncheon and a time of fellowship will be held at 3:00 PM in the party room at Otter Creek Cottages in Building 8, 102 8th Ave NW, Oelwein, following.
Shirley LouAnn Fox was born in Illyria Township in Fayette County on July 24, 1938 to parents Shirley and Louise (Young) Averill. She graduated from Strawberry Point High School with the class of 1956. On August 4, 1958 she was united in marriage with LaVern Fox in Oelwein, and together they shared 42 years of marriage.
LouAnn was a woman of deep sentiment and unwavering devotion who spent her life gathering memories and nurturing the people around her.
LouAnn was a sentimental soul who saved every newspaper clipping, every photograph, and every memento that crossed her path. She understood that life’s greatest treasures were found in the details, a belief she practiced every day by journaling faithfully. Her handwritten pages remain a precious record of a life defined by love and presence.
For many years, LouAnn worked at City Laundering. She brought a sense of care and pride to her work, pressing and folding garments with the same attention to detail she gave to every part of her life. That same dedication was evident on the softball fields, where she spent years coaching her children and cheering them on.
LouAnn’s happiest moments were often the simplest ones. She found great peace in nature, whether she was fishing or hunting for morel mushrooms. She also loved birdwatching and made sure her birdfeeders were always full, finding immense joy in the quiet and beauty of the birds that gathered there.
When LouAnn wasn’t outdoors, she was likely surrounded by friends and laughter. An avid card player, she was never one to turn down a game of pinochle. Above all else, she loved her family fiercely. She remembered every birthday, kept every card, and made sure everyone felt cherished.
Left to celebrate LouAnn’s life are her children: Carolyn (Joel) Thies of Denver and Rose (Dale) Johnson of Oelwein; her grandchildren: Jaide Minikus, Jacob Thies, Micheal Hull, Nicole Kessell, Lucas Thies, Megan Vargason, Mitchell Hull and Ethan Fox; her great-grandchildren: Arianna Minikus, Benjamin Kessell, Nathaniel Kessell, Tiffany Kessell, Wren Vargason, Piper Vargason, Reagan Hull and Marin Hull; her siblings: Richard (Barbara) Averill of Covina, CA and Dianna Walker of Oelwein.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband LaVern; her children: Vern Fox and Sheryl Hull and her sister Rosella Dugan.
