Shirley May Meyer

Shirley Mae (Nielsen) Meyer of Union, Missouri (formerly of Springfield, Missouri) was born June 2, 1938, in Audubon, Iowa, the daughter of Raymond Nielsen and Evelyn (Jensen) Nielsen. Shirley passed away Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the age of 86 years.

Shirley grew up in Audubon, Iowa and was baptized, confirmed and married in the Ebenezer Lutheran Church. She graduated from the Audubon High School and later attended the University of Northern Iowa. She was united in marriage to Vernon Meyer on August 29, 1958, and the couple was happily married over 61 years before Vern’s passing on March 3, 2020.

Shirley’s faith in Jesus was very important to her, and she was a member of The Springs Church in Springfield, Missouri. Shirley was humble, selfless, kind and a happy, caring woman with an infectious smile. She enjoyed reading, baking, cooking, working in her flower garden, and taking walks at the Nature Center in Springfield. She worked part-time as a Librarian, but her passion was at the home where she loved being a homemaker and made sure her family always came first. Shirley loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whether playing games, decorating cookies, or taking them to fun places to visit. She and Vern traveled to be a part of many activities of her grandchildren, whether it be sporting events, special church or school celebrations, and graduations. Alongside Vern, Shirley became a real sports fan of golf, baseball, basketball or any of the many loves Vern enjoyed! Family was everything to Shirley, and having her family visit meant so much to her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Meyer; her parents, Raymond and Evelyn Nielsen; her stepmother, Dorothy Nielsen; her sister, Maryann Miller; and one nephew, Todd Nielsen.

She is survived by three children: Richard Meyer and wife Cari of Phoenix, Arizona, Linda Schattgen and husband Tom of Lonedell, Missouri and Dave Meyer and wife Ginger of Lohman, Missouri; three brothers: Ronald Nielsen and wife Donna, Paul Nielsen and wife Michelle, and Robert Nielsen and wife Kristi, all of Hamlin, Iowa; eight grandchildren: Greg (Krysten) Schattgen, Derek (Venea) Meyer, Matt (Ashley) Schattgen, Brian (Kandace) St. Aubin, Jason (Sarah) Meyer, Ellie (David Martinez) St. Aubin, Lydia (Andrew Fleming) Meyer, and Jackson (Lily Rohlfing) Meyer; twelve great-grandchildren: Everett, Lucas, Abigail, Barrett, Dean, Bryce, Dybala, Nelli, Warren, Mason, Morgan, and Jocelyn; one brother-in-law, Mark Miller (Cindy) of Audubon, Iowa; and many other special relatives and wonderful friends.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa, followed by internment at the Hamlin Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a noon lunch at the Audubon Country Club.

Memorials in honor of Shirley Meyer can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or American Parkinson Disease Association – Greater St. Louis Chapter.