Shirley Maxine Sletten

Shirley Maxine (Thompson) Sletten departed this life to rest in the loving arms of God on February 22, 2026. Shirley was born April 24, 1939, to Dale and Marion (Francis) Thompson. The youngest of four, she told tales of tagging along with her older siblings. Shirley graduated from Orchard High School in 1957. She was proud of her school and the fact that they had a girls’ basketball team, even when Osage didn’t. Shirley’s competitive nature might have started in the Orchard High gym but didn’t stop there. If you won a game against her, it was done fairly because she wasn’t going to let even little kids win just because they were little. Shirley loved attending local sporting events. Shirley married Darrell “Shorty” Sletten on July 11, 1956, at The Little Brown, Nashua, Iowa. In December 1958, they moved near Brownville, where they farmed on the family farm. In 1971, they moved to the farm south of Osage. Shirley and Shorty were married for forty-five years until Shorty’s death in 2001. After their marriage, Shirley joined Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage. She was an active member of her circle. She found great joy in volunteering and giving back to her community. From 1969 to 1972, she served as a dedicated 4-H leader, generously sharing her time, guidance, and encouragement with young people and making a lasting impact on those she mentored.

Shirley began her career at Key Warehouse Market, working for Darrell Elliot. Through her strong work ethic and dedication, she earned the respect of her employer, who later recommended her for a position at Home Trust & Savings Bank, where she continued to build her professional legacy. Shirley joined Home Trust & Savings Bank on April 10, 1972, where she worked in bookkeeping throughout her 37 years until her retirement on December 18, 2009. She was a great source of knowledge and loved connecting with customers. She was always able to remain calm during chaotic times and was willing to lend a hand wherever needed. Shirley especially enjoyed visiting with her co-workers, taking a genuine interest in their families and the events in their lives. After retirement, she enjoyed helping with Orchard Chit Chat and devoted many hours to volunteering with the blood bank. She also supported the annual Daffodil Days fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Shirley spent a great deal of life waiting by the telephone for Shorty’s call as he drove a semi and would call each night to check in and have a chat. Once she got a cell phone, there was no stopping her. One never knew when they called if she would be home or if she would be somewhere on an adventure. According to her, all days were good for a Sunday drive, and all roads could lead through McIntire or anywhere really. Needless to say, one never really knew where the adventure would go if you got in the car for a drive with Shirley.

Shirley enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, where many came to know and love her as “Grandma Shirley.” Shirley was a night owl and loved to chat on the phone. Many of her grandchildren knew that it didn’t matter how late it was; if you needed to talk, you just called her. She would always answer and talk as long as you needed. Shirley’s family was incredibly important to her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell “Shorty”, her daughter, Kathy Blake, her parents and siblings, Dean (Irene) Thompson, Marvin (Pat) Thompson, and Phyllis (Greg) Barker.

She is survived by son Rick and daughter-in-law Sue Sletten, daughter Cindy and son-in-law Vernon Niess, and son-in-law David Blake. Her eight grandchildren The Rev’d Stephanie (The Rev’d Kevin) Gore, Tina (Dan) Offen, Joe Niess, Steve Blake, Sarah (Devon) Murray, Mareah (Torey) Stallsmith, Rebekah (Michael) Barr, and Noah Sletten. As well as her fifteen great-grandchildren Zane, Tatum, Letty, Christopher, Joshua, Charlotte and Mary Elizabeth Gore; Drew, Mackenzie, and Devin Offen; Marron, Jack, and Clint Murray; Tommy Stallsmith; and Edith Barr.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage, Iowa, at 10:30 a.m. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Osage Cemetery.

Hoff Celebrations - Champion Chapel of Osage is assisting the family with arrangements.