Shirley Keiser

Shirley E. Trowbridge Keiser, 94, of Charles City passed away Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2021, at Floyd County Medical Center. Private Services will be held at a later date.

Shirley was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 20, 1926 to Delbert and Ethel Trowbridge. She graduated from Cedar Rapids, IA in 1945. She completed college at University of Iowa, enjoying her participation in the Orchesis dance group. On Feb. 13, 1949 she married L. Thomas Keiser in Charles City. They were married for 67 years. They had two daughters, Deborah and Denise.

For one year Tom, Shirley and Deb traveled with the Leo Pieper Big Band across the south western states and even had the privilege of playing on the same stage with Bob Hope. Tom played the string bass and drove the bus for the band. Shirley followed them in their car with Deb. They left the band when Deb needed to start school.

Shirley worked side by side for over 20 years with Tom at their business, Keiser Music. She was a happy homemaker and helped in various capacities at Congregational Church. She dearly loved her family and grandchildren and always treated them special. She was kind and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. Shirley and Tom were able to travel many places together and there were also vacations with the entire family to Las Vegas, Florida, Wisconsin and Kentucky.

The family greatly appreciates the loving, compassionate care given to Shirley while residing at Riverside Senior Living for the past five years.

Surviving family include daughter Denise Holzer (special friend Mark), Charles City, granddaughters, Jennifer Nelson, Nicole Nelson, Jessica (Tony) Jeffries, Katie (Zach) Sullivan, five great grandchildren, Bret (Brooke), Cole, Hunter, Dalanie and Bryant and one great, great grandson Greyson. Special nieces and nephews Terrie, Doug, Bob, Lori, Ginny and Sandy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, L. Thomas Keiser, daughter, Deborah Nelson, parents, Delbert and Ethel Trowbridge, sister, Joan Cook, in-laws Lyle and Mildred Keiser, sister-in-law, Shirley Felt, and brother-in-law Ron Felt.