Shirley Claggett

Rockwall, TX -- Shirley Josephine Claggett, a long-time Atlantic resident, died Sunday, September 30, 2018, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Rockwall, TX.

Born in Maynard, MN, on February 1, 1932, Shirley was the eldest child of Albert & Margaret Dondelinger Suter. She graduated from Maynard High School and later from the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis.

Shirley married Bruce Claggett on November 19, 1954, in Clara City, MN. Bruce & Shirley lived in Brookings, SD, Montevideo, MN, and with the Iowa DOT lived in Decorah and Davenport before moving to Atlantic in 1961.

While raising her eight children, Shirley was a homemaker but later worked for the Atlantic School District at Lincoln and Schuler after her children were older. As an active member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Shirley filled various roles on the Council of Catholic Women, Parish Council, Eucharistic Minister, wedding coordinator, Fall Bazaar chairperson and various committees. Throughout her over 50 years in Atlantic community, she was also a committed volunteer with Girl Scouts, Cass County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Red Cross Bloodmobile, Church Women United, Meals on Wheels, Circles of Success and as an Interfaith Caregiver. She also organized the Atlantic Community Dinner for several years.

After moving to Texas in 2017, Shirley resided in assisted living where she enjoyed calling bingo, playing various games, flower arranging every week, and helping staff and other residents with any activities that made their lives easier.

Shirley is survived by her eight children who were her greatest treasures: Margaret (Tom) Kloet of Bluffton, SC; Susan (Bob) Schumaker of Redmond, WA; Michael (Linda) Claggett of Jesup, IA; Steven (Dottie) Claggett of Rockwall, TX; Stephanie (Bob) Canon of Rowlett, TX; Mary (Mike) Glisch of Rockwall, TX; John (Cecilia) Claggett of West Chester, OH; Joseph (Jenny) Claggett of McKinney, TX. Shirley is also survived by her 22 grandchildren, her pride and joy: Mark (Debbie) Kloet; Megan (James) Kloet-Gill; Caitlin, Alex and Jennifer Schumaker; Laura, Jason and Jonathan Claggett; Matthew, Nicholas and Annaclaire Claggett; Ashley Canon; Abbey Kelly; Meredith Canon; Madeline (Dakota) Herrera; Jacob and Jenna Glisch; Patrick, Ava and Amy Claggett; Josey and Noah Claggett; as well as three great-grandchildren, Connor Kloet, and Berkeley and Quinn Kelly.

Shirley is also survived by six siblings: Milton (Janice) Suter of Maynard, MN; Marge Walstad of Dallas, TX; Mary Ann Groothuis of Clara City, MN; Dean Suter of Belgrade, MN; Dorothy Kranz of Richfield, MN; Thomas (Diane) Suter of Austin, MN, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Shirley is preceded in death by a sister, Marion, her parents, her husband and her brother, Albert.

People knew that if you wanted to get something done -- and done well -- you called Shirley Claggett. Shirley embraced life and loved being around people. She felt extremely blessed to have touched lives and helped where she could until her final day on earth. Whether driving someone to cancer treatments in Omaha, giving a new coat to one of her “Lincoln kids” who needed one, preparing a meal for 250 at the Parish Center, or rolling silverware to help the staff at her assisted living, Shirley did it all with gusto and love. And we are all the better for it.

Rosary will be held at Hockenberry Funeral Home at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, 2018, with visitation following from 4:30-7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 22, 2018, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. with lunch following at the Catholic Parish Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, 1501 E. 10th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022.