Shirlee La Vere (Simpson) Steinbach, who spent most of her 91 years in Des Moines and Johnston, Iowa, passed away February 26, 2022, at the home of her daughter Karen in Stuarts Draft, Virginia.

Shirlee was born in Weskan, Kansas on July 3, 1930, to Henry Ray and Lila Loie (Krouse) Simpson.  After graduating from Roosevelt High School and Drake University, Shirlee went on to be one of the first teachers to instruct students with learning disabilities in the Des Moines School District.  She too never stopped learning and went on to earn her master's degree in Special Education to assist her students more effectively.

Shirlee loved traveling the world with her husband Les and enjoyed many wonderful times together as members of Wagon Wheelers Square Dance Club, Iowa Travel Trailer Club, Des Moines Color Film Club, and Friendship Force.  Shirlee and Les danced their way through life together and cherished many special experiences, such as going on a Windjammer Cruise and White-Water Rafting.  They were always close to Mother Nature whether it was camping in their converted van or sitting on the deck at their dream home in the woods.

If Shirlee's flower gardens could talk, they would tell you that she spent countless hours caring for them and making sure they thrived in the sun either on the deck or in the ground at the entrance to the distinctive A-Frame house she and Les built close to Saylorville Reservoir.

Over the years, Shirlee often visited her grandparents' farmhouse in Corydon, Iowa to relive childhood memories she shared with her sister Carole.  The stories she told about those precious years are too numerous to list.

Shirlee was known as the custodian of genealogical records and she never tired of doing historic research and sharing her discoveries, especially during family gatherings.  She brought joy to her family and friends through her special way of showing her affection and respect for all good things in life.

Shirlee was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Lester Steinbach, her humorous (slightly mischievous) son, Steven Kip McKean, her artistic sister, Carole Joan (Simpson) Hedges, and her innocent granddaughter, Bree Duemig.

Surviving Shirlee are her three daughters, Melinda McKean (Roger Fitzgerald) of Verona, VA, Karen (Tony) Bobsin of Stuarts Draft, VA, and Kristin (Robert) Stevens of Glenwood, NY; stepson Terry Steinbach of Cedar Rapids, IA and stepdaughter, Ginger Foshe of Prescott, AZ; "favorite" (only) niece Mary Clare Evans of Meridian, MS, and nephews Peter Hedges of Brooklyn, NY, Joel Hedges of Phoenix, AZ, and Philip Hedges of Cave Creek, AZ.  Also surviving are grandchildren and great grandchildren, some of whom will never know how much they meant to her.

Among those who mourn Shirlee's passing is long-time family friend, "Teddy" Ross.

The family would like to say a heart-felt "Thank You!" to the care providers at Hospice of the Shenandoah for their unenviable task of providing end-of-life care for Shirlee.

Although Shirlee's remains have been cremated, the family plans to bring her ashes back to Corydon, Iowa later this year to remember and celebrate her wonderful life.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory in Staunton, VA. has been retained to carry out her arrangements.