Memorial

Shirley Ann Herbst, 72, of Cedar Rapids passed away February 17, 2026. Visitation for Shirley will be from 1-2 PM, Saturday, February 21, 2026, at FaithLife Church in Marion. The Memorial Service will follow at 2:00 PM on Saturday at the church.

Shirley was born on January 27, 1954, in Harlan, Iowa, the daughter of Alphonse and Alice (Schechinger) Schomers. Shirley grew up on a farm near Westphalia, IA with her nine siblings.  She shared a special and enduring bond with her siblings. Their annual gatherings — bringing family together from near and far — were among her most treasured traditions. After graduating from Harlan High School, she went on to complete her nursing training and worked as a registered nurse in the 1970s and 1980s.

Shirley was united in marriage to Ted Herbst on August 3, 1985, in Omaha, Nebraska.  While raising her three children, she lovingly cared for many others as a babysitter for family, friends, and members of the community. She later brought her passion for children and reading to Arthur Elementary, where she served for many years as a paraeducator and helped young students learn to read. Shirley also enjoyed volunteering within her church community, St. Mark’s Lutheran, later known as FaithLife Church. 

Her greatest joy was her family. She cherished time with her three children and adored her four grandchildren, who were the light of her life.

She was a voracious reader, a devoted member of her book club until the very end, and an enthusiastic fan of Iowa and Iowa State basketball and football. She loved deeply and was deeply loved in return.

Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Ted of Cedar Rapids; children, Nichole (Ben) Herrell of Menomonee Falls, WI, Matt (Jackie) Herbst of Bellevue, WA, and Emily (Zach) Gulsby of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Carson, Avery, and Alexis Herrell and Indie Gulsby; sisters, Nancy (Greg) Thrasher of Omaha, NE, Mary (Craig) Rasmussen of Cincinnati, OH, Linda (Jim) Gidley of Omaha, NE, and Julie (Kurt) Andersen of St. Augustine, FL; brothers, Jerry (Pat) Schomers of Omaha, NE, Don (Judy) Schomers of Harlan, IA, Dave (Rose) Schomers of Westphalia, IA, Randy (Lisa) Schomers of Omaha, NE, and Bill (Tracy) Schomers of Omaha, NE; and many nieces and nephews.
 
Preceding her in death were her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Hiawatha Public Library.