Shirley Hemmer Malaise, 66, of Waterloo, died at Covenant Medical Center on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, following a lengthy illness.

She was born May 18, 1945 in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Melvin and Jeanette Mangrich Hemmer.

Shirley married Dean Malaise on August 31, 1963 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Waterloo. She graduated from Columbus High School in 1963.

Shirley was a member of Washburn Moose and Evansdale AMVET Post 31 Auxiliary.

She is survived by her husband Dean; son Allen and his wife Paula of Waterloo; son Michael of Waterloo; two grandchildren: Brandon and Hannah Malaise; sister Patty Miller and her husband Larry of La Porte City; brother Dale Hemmer and his wife Jeanne of Gilbertville; brother Rob Schares of Gilbertville; sister Loni Wordehoff and her husband Gary of La Porte City; and sister Shellie Mentel and her husband Dave of Waterloo.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents and stepfather Robert Schares.

Shirley was a good wife, mother, and home maker. She loved to play cards and collected angels of all description. Dean and she stuck together through thick and thin, whether traveling to Vegas for many years or facing Shirley’s health issues together. Shirley was spirited; you knew exactly where she stood. You also knew how much she cared for you.