Edward Francis Shima

Edward Francis Shima, age 92, of Marengo, passed away Thursday, January 7, 2021 at Rose Haven Nursing Home, Marengo. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Marengo with Father David Wilkening officiating. A public visitation will be held on Monday, January 11, 2021 from 12:30-1:30 P.M., at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Marengo with military honors. Memorials may be contributed to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Marengo. Masks and social distancing will be required at all services. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is assisting the family with arrangements.

Edward was born November 20, 1928, the son of Frank and Mary (Brennan) Shima.  He was raised in Cedar County, Iowa. Edward married Nell Burton Neill in Jackson, MS on Feb 14, 1953.  Nell passed away in 2007. Ed and Nell raised 6 children:  Mark (Dr Robin Boineau) of Washington, DC; Ann of Iowa City; Lamar (Tammy) of Ellisville, MS; Jean (deceased 2018); Peter (deceased 1974); and Tom of Washington, DC.  Ed has 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Ed served in the United States Marine Corps aboard the USS Essex from 1951-1953 during the Korean Conflict.  In 1956 Ed and Nell purchased and farmed the Shima Farm located in Washington Township, Iowa County, Iowa, at the “center of the universe.”  He was grateful to live on the Shima Farm until his death.  He was known as a proficient welder and able to fix about anything.

In the 1960’s Ed was a pioneer, organizer, and television moderator in the National Farmers Organization (NFO), which was part of the farm collective bargaining movement.

He served as Chairman of the Iowa County Board of Supervisors in the 1970's, having been one of the first two Democrats elected to the Board of Supervisors since the early 1930’s.

Over the years Ed was president and affiliated with numerous organizations including the Democratic Central Committee, the Mental Health Board at Mt. Pleasant, St. Patrick’s Church Council and Building Committee, and the Genealogy Society.

Ed did not play golf, rather his greatest hobby was cutting brush and caring for his farm.