Memorial

Shirley Ilene Omar, 94, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died peacefully in her sleep at Hiawatha Care Center on June 24, 2021, during ‘a nice rain’.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 27, 2021, from 4:00- 7:00 PM at Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 28, 2021, at 3:00 PM at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories.  A livestream of the service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Shirley, under the video tab starting and 3:00 PM.

Shirley Ilene Heide was born on April 3, 1927, in Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of Oscar Hilke Heide and Linnie Irene Katherine (Frank) Heide.

She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco.  She was active in youth activities at church and 4H. 

After graduating from Crestwood High School in 1945, she moved to Cedar Rapids for job opportunities.  She was employed by Wilson’s in the sausage department office.  It was there that she met her husband, Robert Omar.  They were married on November 30, 1946.  From this union, ten children were born- Robert, Duane, Marlene, Patricia, Tommy, Barbara, Gary, Gale, Cathy, and Russell.  She spent her life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker, passing on her cooking and sewing skills.  She was fondly referred to as “Granny”. 

Shirley is survived by her children, Robert (Carolyn) Omar, Duane (Cindy) Omar, Marlene (Richard) Bishop, Patricia (John) Clouse, Tommy (Kris) Omar, Barbara Kellogg, Gary Omar (Cynthia Bathgate), Gale (Curtis) Bloomquist, Cathy (Michael) Fuller, Russell Omar; grandchildren, Sheri (Lawrence) Lyons, Christopher (Brenda) Omar, Heather (Travis) Norton, William Omar (Sara Moellers), Sheila Omar (Allen Stoddard), David (Michelle) Omar, Jeremy (Melenee) Omar, Tammy (Matthew) Gasper, Tanya (Charles) Mangold, Todd (Tracy) Wiedenman, Jeffrey (Diane) Clouse, Bradley (Beki) Kellogg, Brett (Lindsay) Kellogg, Justine Omar (Scott Clark), Heath Omar, Stacey (Mitchell) Glew; great-grandchildren, Erin Lyons, Emily Lyons, Caroline Lyons, Aiden Lyons, Tamara Omar, Madilyn Omar, Jackson Omar, Garrett Norton, Amber Hinck (Brady Vrieze), Kayli Hinck, Will Hinck, Shawn (Daron) Omar, Brandon Omar, Kyler Omar, Logan Omar, Sadie Omar, Jacob Gasper, Makayla Gasper, Katelyn Mangold, Mitchel Mangold, Amber Wiedenman, Autumn Wiedenman, Jacob Clouse, Emma Clouse, Brady Kellogg, Baker Kellogg, Bennett Kellogg, Addison Kellogg, Kenley Kellogg, Baylor Kellogg, Chloe Kellogg, Alexus Omar, Abigail Ruby, Holden Omar, Meadow Glew, Maddox Glew; great-great-grandchild, Landry Vrieze; step-grandchildren, Jessica (Brody) Pullman and family, Kayla (Bobby) Carroll and family, Allissa (Dennis) Lopes and family, Ashley Mussman, Rachel Fuller and family, Jillian (Joe) Wall and family, Luke (Cassie) Knipper; sister, Carol Burnikel (Dave Quam); several nieces and nephews. 

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter Katey Lyn Bloomquist, brother Kenneth Heide and wife Jeannie, son-in-law Robert Kellogg, and nephew Alan Burnikel.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Hiawatha Care Center for their kindness in taking care of our mother during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed towards the family.