Obituary of Wilma K. Shaffer

Wilma K. Shaffer, 84 of Iowa City died Tuesday, December 4, 2007, at Greenwood Manor Care Center in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 8, 2007, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Iowa City with the Reverend Walter Helms officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be held from 3pm to 8 pm, Friday, December 7th at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, where a parish rosary will be recited at 3:30 pm and a vigil service and time of sharing will be at 7:30 pm. Memorial donations may be made in Wilma’s memory to Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Mercy Hospital Foundation, Iowa City or to Pulmonary Rehabilitation, University Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. Online Condolences may be sent for Wilma’s family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Wilma K. Shaffer was born August 6, 1923, near North Liberty, Iowa, the daughter of John and Mary (Svoboda) Swenka. The family later farmed near Riverside, Iowa. Wilma was a 1941 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Riverside, Iowa and later attended the Irish Business College in Iowa City, Iowa. On September 18, 1947, she married Robert F. Shaffer at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. They lived in Iowa City and later moved to Coralville, Iowa in 1952. Wilma enjoyed raising her family and attending many school and community activities. Some of her happiest times were family gatherings and holidays. From 1964 until 1984, Wilma was employed as secretary to the Principal at Kirkwood Elementary School, Coralville, Iowa. After her retirement, she enjoyed volunteer work, traveling, and playing bridge and euchre. Wilma was a member of St. Thomas More church, the Moose, Eagles, and American Legion auxiliaries, the Retired School Personnel group, and several bridge groups. Wilma’s family includes, sons, Rodney (Jan) Shaffer of Stafford, Virginia; Steve (Nancy) Shaffer and grandson, Bob of Iowa City, IA; daughters Kathy (Kevin) Shaffer-Cumby and Connie Shaffer of Chillicothe, MO; and Jane Shaffer and fiancé, Peter Emmanuelli of Iowa City; sisters Angeline Russell of Iowa City, IA, and Laura (Dale) Piersall of Cedar Rapids, IA, brother Theodale (Irene) Swenka of Greeley, IA; brother-in-law, John Doyle of Sterling, VA; and sister-in-law Jeanne Swenka of Iowa City, Iowa. Wilma is also survived by a special friend of many years, Jim E. Parsons of Iowa City, Iowa. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Robert F. Shaffer in 1985 and daughter, Cynthia Jo; sisters Georgia, Nora, and Caroline; and brothers Frank, Samuel, Arthur, Woodrow and John. Following committal services at the cemetery, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the Knights of Columbus, 4776 American Legion Road, SE, in Iowa City, Iowa. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Wilma’s family and her services.