Ann S. Shields

Ann S. Shields, 90, of Ames, IA and formerly of Fort Dodge, IA, died Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at Accura Healthcare of Ogden. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 23, 2024, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2501 6th Avenue North – Fort Dodge, with Msgr. Kevin McCoy officiating. Interment will take place at Corpus Christi Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Historic Bruce Funeral Home, 923 1st Avenue South. The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be directed to the family. Arrangements are with Historic Bruce Funeral Home of Fort Dodge. 

Ann was born February 20, 1934 in Frackville, PA, the daughter of George and Margaret (Terlizzi) Burchill. She graduated from Martinsville High School in Martinsville, VA in 1952 and continued her education at Clarke College in Dubuque, IA. In 1955, she was united in marriage to John W. Shields in Dubuque. Ann was a homemaker until her children were grown. She then worked for Farm Bureau as an Administrative Assistant for more than 30 years until her retirement in 1998. Over the years, she was an enthusiastic collector of frogs, which was reflected in her online persona of "Frog Mom." A passionate gardener, Ann's love for flowers filled her home and yard with color and fragrance. She loved sewing, and her projects are still used and loved by her family. Reading was yet another of her cherished pastimes, and she could often be found reading in the wee hours of the morning. She also enjoyed cooking and sharing meals with loved ones. Ann’s Catholic faith was very important to her. She was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church until she moved away. 

Ann is survived by 3 children: Susan Shields of Altoona, IA, Judy Zeka and husband Mark of Ames, IA, and Jim Shields and wife Kristin of Ames; 3 grandchildren: Kathryn Shields of Ames, Matthew Bannerman of Ames and Elizabeth Newkirk of Lakewood, WA; and 3 great grandchildren: Madeline, Aspen and Tayler. She is also survived by her niece Margaret.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1994, her parents, her brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Joyce Burchill, and her nephew John.