Shirley Ruth Linthacum passed away at her home on September 7, 2021 at the age of 91 in Clive, Iowa.
Shirley was born in Des Moines on June 4, 1930 to Charles and Fern Albaugh. She lived in Lohrville in her younger years. Her family then moved to Ankeny where she graduated from high school. She attended Iowa State and later worked at Meredith Corp. in Des Moines.
She married Dr Robert Linthacum on August 3, 1952 in Ankeny. They moved to Dysart, Iowa in 1957 to join a general practice in medicine. In 1977 they moved to West Des Moines. They were active members of both the Dysart and Valley United Methodist Church.
Shirley was an accomplished musician; whether it was mastering the piano and organ, singing with her trio or playing the marimba. She was a member of PEO and Eastern Star. Besides being an avid college basketball fan she enjoyed playing games with family and friends, including bridge. She was known throughout the years as "The Pie Lady".
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert in 2004, as well as her brothers Everett and Norman Albaugh of Ankeny.
Shirley is survived by her three children. Son Nevin (Carol) of Paso Robles, California; daughters Diane (Roger) of Westminster, Colorado and Denise (Brian) of Overland Park, Kansas.
She was so proud of her 4 grandsons: Kelly and Dustin Lara of Denver, Scott Linthacum of Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Dillon Fruhwirth of Overland Park.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, at Valley United Methodist Church, 4201 Ashworth Road in West Des Moines. Her family will have a private funeral with interment at Ankeny Memorial Gardens.
