Shirley Lester

Shirley Lester, 93, of Webster City died Thursday, August 20, 2026 at Van Diest Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at Asbury United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at Foster Funeral and Cremation Center.

Shirley Ann Banta, daughter of Louis and Catherine (Beall) Banta, was born January 17, 1933 in Webster City. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1952. On May 4, 1952, Shirley was married to Richard Leo Lester in Webster City. She worked for Globe Union in Fort Dodge and Frigidaire for 18 years, retiring in 1998.

She is survived by her daughters, Christine (Earl) Briggs of LaHarp, KS, Debra Kern of Webster City, and Cheryl (Gary) Westrum of Webster City; six grandchildren, Melissa (Mike), Eric, James (Melissa), Shawna (Jay), Aubree (Jared) and Austin (Emily); and 12great-grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents; and a daughter in infancy, Connie Sue Lester.

She was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church and a past member of the UAW 442. Shirley enjoyed retirement, crossword puzzles, yard work, class of ’52 luncheons and feeding the neighborhood squirrels. She was well known as "the little lady in the red mustang "