Lamoni, IA: On Sunday, November 27th, J. Lynn (Canfield, Whittom) Shields, loving Mother and Grandmother passed away after a fight with Alzheimer’s disease.
Lynn was born on July 6th, 1946 in Fort Morgan, Colorado to Marylyn (Henness) and Lawrence Canfield. She spent many of her younger years in Ottumwa, Iowa and moved to Blythedale, Mo. after her first marriage. Here, she raised 4 children, Theresa, Tony, Tad and Tosha. On April 18th, 2010 she married the love of her life, Gary Shields and they made an extremely happy life together in Pleasanton, Iowa until Gary’s death. She then moved to Lamoni, Iowa for awhile before moving to Grand River, Iowa and having some wonderful years with her special friend Bob. When she realized that she was affected by Alzhiemer’s she moved back to Lamoni where she had plenty of family around. She eventually ended up in Lamoni Assisted Living where she received the most amazing and compassionate care. As the disease progressed she was moved to Florida where she could be near a daughter and grandson. She was able to have some quality time with them before the terrible disease progressed too far.
Lynn loved being outside gardening, tending to her goats and target practicing. She loved attending church and did so faithfully at the Methodist Church in Eagleville, Mo., and then at the First Baptist Church in Lamoni, Iowa. Lynn loved going to country music dances and she loved singing. You would often hear her singing or humming a Gospel or George Strait song. Lynn’s six Grandchildren were the greatest joys in her life. She loved playing and reading to them and would often make up silly and fun games to keep them entertained. As far as Grandmas go, she was the very best. She would do absolutely anything for her grandkids. Just an absolutely AMAZING grandma!
Lynn was preceded in death by her mother Marylyn, her Father Lawrence and her husband Gary. She is survived by her four children Theresa Whittom of Des Moines, Iowa, Tony (Angela) Whittom of Odessa, Mo., Tad (Christy) Whittom of Lamoni, Iowa and Tosha (Mike) Manke of Fountain, FL. Seven grandkids Tyleah Ervin, Tomorrow Whittom, Tyler Whittom, Tiffany Alley, Hannah Beggs, Gabriel Manke and Joseph Manke. Seven great grandkids Jaiden and Hadley Wittrock, Iyla, Jenessa and Callie Ervin, Brayson Alley and Jasper Durington due in January. And a brother Jerry Canfield of Ottumwa, Iowa. Lynn will be cremated and a Celebration of Life Ceremony will be planned for the near future with burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Lamoni, Iowa. Donations can be made in Lynn’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.