Memorial

Shirley Mae Miersen Axmear, 96, of Cedar Rapids, IA, passed away after a long illness on October 30, 2024, at The Views of Marion, Marion, IA.

Per her wishes, there will be no visitation. There will be a private family service and inurnment at the mausoleum of Cedar Memorial Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids.

Shirley was born April 16, 1928, in Strawberry Point, IA.

After graduation from high school, Shirley moved to Cedar Rapids where she worked as an elevator operator in a no longer existing downtown hotel. She met Arthur Axmear, Jr. and she and "Jake" were married on September 20, 1947, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA.

Shirley and Jake raised three children. She was a member of the Silver Cross Circle of King's Daughters for many years. After her children grew older, she enjoyed working in retail at J. C. Penney, Killians and Armstrongs. Later in life she became a long-term volunteer at the Indian Creek Nature Center. Throughout her life, she loved animals and always had cats and an occasional dog. She enjoyed crafting, sewing, cooking, gardening, flowers and most especially being out in nature while mushroom hunting in Cedar Rapids and at her farm in the Wadena/Fayette area of Iowa.

She is survived by her three children, Marsha Axmear Erb (husband Larry Erb) of Cedar Rapids, L. Sue Axmear of Salt Lake City, UT, and Mitchell Axmear of San Tan Valley, AZ.; grandchildren, Erin Erb Jensen (David Jensen) of Iowa City, IA, and Christina Erb LoVullo (David LoVullo) of Lafayette, CO; and four great grandchildren, Eliza Jensen and Willem Jensen of Iowa City, IA and Zoey LoVullo and Torrey LoVullo of Lafayette, CO.

Shirley was pre-deceased by her husband, Arthur Axmear, Jr.; her mother, Irene Voshell Mierson Schmidt; her father, Clifford Miersen; and her half-brother, Dennis Schmidt.

Her family is very grateful for the excellent care Shirley received over the years from
Bickford of Marion, the Views of Marion and St. Croix Hospice. Any donations may be made to St. Croix Hospice or the Indian Creek Nature Center.