Shirley LaVonna Hand

Shirley LaVonna (Rydberg) Hand, 81, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2018, at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton with her loving husband of 59 years by her side. Shirley was born on December 14, 1936, in Essex, Iowa, to Virgil and Marian (Youngberg) Rydberg. Shirley graduated from Essex High School in 1955 and later graduated from Simpson College in 1959. She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Bill Lee Hand, on June 5, 1959, in Essex, Iowa. Shirley's first job in the education field was that of a fifth-grade teacher in Elkhorn, Iowa. In 1961 she and Bill moved to Hampton where she was a physical education instructor. In 1975 she obtained her special education certification from the University of Northern Iowa by attending night classes and summer school. She went on to teach severely and profoundly handicapped children for thirty years while providing them with unlimited compassion, patience and understanding. While Shirley knew that she would miss teaching when she retired in 1998, she was looking forward to spending more time with her family and working on her golf game. She was an active board member of the Hospital Auxiliary and volunteered many hours doing numerous activities, such as baking birthday cakes, working in garden areas, the blood mobile, salad luncheons and Christmas decorations. Shirley was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was very proud of her family and loved to play all sorts of games with her grandchildren. Shirley loved hosting during the holiday season and all family get-togethers; any chance to spend time with her family was important to her. She would spend hours cooking and preparing for her company. She will forever be remembered for her hearty beef and noodles, homemade pizza and at Christmas time - her mouth-watering fudge. Shirley is survived by her husband Bill Lee Hand of Hampton, son Lonnie (Barb) Hand of Chaska, Minnesota, son Douglas (Michelle) Hand of Solon, son Scott (Janese) Hand of Clear Lake, son Kevin (Christy) Hand of Jewell, eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren (and one great-granddaughter due in November). She was preceded in death by her parents Virgil and Marian Rydberg, sister Phyllis Kirchert, paternal grandparents Axel and Mary Rydberg and maternal grandparents Otto and Ella Youngberg. Memorials may be directed to the Franklin General Hospital Auxiliary.

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Shirley LaVonna Hand

December 14, 1936 - June 23, 2018