Obituary of Shirley Ann Knapp

Shirley A. Knapp, age 82, longtime resident of Iowa City, died on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in her home with her family by her side.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 14 at Grace Community Church in North Liberty, with burial at a later date in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the Cancer Research Institute in her honor.

Shirley Ann Monson was born on June 26, 1942 in Ventura, Iowa, the sixth of ten children to Alfred and Evelyn (Welsh) Monson. Shirley's childhood was characterized by the workings and playings of her large family in that small lakeside town. As a student she enjoyed glee club and playing the baritone horn. During her freshman year at Ventura High, she made the girls varsity basketball team where she earned all-state honors playing guard. Her strong work ethic became evident when she waitressed at Witke’s, Clear Lake’s popular waterfront restaurant. Her zest for life led her to enjoy summer days full of swimming and sunbathing at the lake, and she especially enjoyed dating the love of her life, James C. Knapp of Clear Lake.

After graduating from Ventura High School, Shirley attended secretarial school in Mason City. On August 9, 1961, Shirley married Jim prior to his deployment to Korea in the U.S. Army.  When they reunited, the couple lived in Minneapolis where Shirley attended Minneapolis College of Medical Technology and worked in a pediatric clinic.

The couple soon welcomed their first child, Jon, and moved to Iowa City, where Jim completed his education at the University of Iowa and began his career in home building. Shirley began her long and productive career in research at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. The couple then welcomed their second child, Leslie, and Shirley went on to work as a senior research assistant in various departments at the university, most notably Pharmacology, Neurology and Internal Medicine. There she co-authored research articles and served as “lab mom” to many students until her retirement in 2012.

Shirley and Jim enjoyed family life and such activities as league bowling, dancing, camping and downhill skiing with treasured friends. As avid Iowa fans, the couple held season tickets for both football and men’s basketball, making many trips to root for the Hawkeyes. Shirley and family enjoyed worshipping with fellow believers at the Congregational United Church of Christ and later at Grace Community Church.

At the age of 40, Shirley found an outlet for her life-long love of singing and joined Iowa City’s Sweet Adelines Barbershop Chorus.  It was “love at first 7th Chord.” Shirley found her niche in the bass section, singing with her chorus for nearly 40 years and participating in numerous quartets. Appreciated for her fun-loving nature and wit, Shirley made many friends. This special group of ladies grew and stayed close, sharing their love for ringing chords together and bringing music to life in the community.

Devotion to family shined through Shirley's life. She was proud of Jim's creative gift in home design and worked alongside him to refurbish their historic home in Iowa City. Shirley's talents for organizing, decorating, and gardening made for an efficient and lovely home life.  Creative and undaunted, Shirley took on many sewing and furniture refinishing projects. As a parent, her structure, encouragement and love made fertile soil for her children to grow and flourish.

Shining bright as a wife, sister, friend, mother and grandmother, Shirley’s fierce love was evident to all. Her unconditional devotion and pride in her children and grandchildren was seen in the immense enjoyment she felt while spending time with them.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Eugene Monson and wife, Joan, Arlen “Peep” Monson and wife, Janice, Dean Monson and wife, Patricia, Alan Monson, J. Michael Monson and wife, Sandra, Mark Monson; her sister, LaVonne “Bonnie” Holmgaard and husband, Dale; nephew Matthew Kline; and nieces Cindy Monson Dunn and Dawn Holmgaard.

Capable, generous, free-spirited and kind, Shirley left indelible marks in the lives of her friends and family. This incredible woman will be sorely missed by all of her survivors: Jim, her husband of sixty-four years; her children, Rev. Jon Knapp (Suzette), and Leslie Russell (Bruce); grandchildren, Michael Knapp (Sydney), Stephanie Knapp, Ryan Knapp (Riawna Romano), Bruce Russell Jr. and Claudia Russell; great-grandchildren, Owen, Sophia, Emmett, Arielle, Amelia and Leonardo; sisters, Rita Lee and Gloria Kline (Michael); sisters-in-law, Donna Monson, Marcia Monson, Karen Monson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.