Shirley Christians

Little Rock, Iowa

Shirley Christians age 93 of Little Rock, IA passed away Friday, March 27, 2026, following a brief hospitalization.

Inurnment will be prior to service at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, April 1st at Pleasantview Cemetery in Little Rock.

A memorial service will follow at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, April 1st at First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, IA, with Pastor Steve Anderson officiating.

Shirley Ann Christians was born to Leonard and Ferne (Peters) Fischer on December 26, 1932, in Little Rock, Iowa. She grew up in Little Rock and later graduated from Little Rock High School in 1950. On August 20, 1955, she was united in marriage to Orville Christians at First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. They made their first home near Rushmore, Minnesota, and later moved to farms near Ellsworth, Minnesota. Shirley upholstered furniture for many years, then worked for the Little Rock Freelance Newspaper, well into her 80’s.

Shirley was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Little Rock and was involved in many aspects of the church, serving as elder, Sunday School Teacher, Bible School Teacher and Women’s Association. Shirley was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Little Rock and Little Rock Women’s Club. Orville passed away in December of 1983. Shirley then moved to her home in present home in Little Rock. She enjoyed her time spent playing cards with her good friends, Myrna and Gloria. A proud event for Shirley was riding in the Corn Show Parade in 2025, where she was honored as one of the oldest surviving member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Shirley is survived by her two daughter, Lori (Erwin) Arends of Little Rock, Iowa, and Julia Christians of Edina, Minnesota; six grandchildren, who are Joel (Robin) Arends, Valerie Arends, Jeremy (Cassie) Arends, Alex (Sarah) Christians, Nick Christians and Max Christians; and five great-grandchildren, Noah Arends, Abigail Arends, Zachary Arends, Hayden Arends and Murphy Christians; four step-great-grandchildren, Julia, Claire, Abby and Natalie Mahoney; brother and sister-in-law, Lennis (Sandy) Fischer of Orange City, Iowa; her uncle and birthday twin, Gene Peters; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Christians and Barbara Christians; brother-in-law, Dwight Leemkuil; nieces, nephews and other extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Ferne Fischer; parents-in-law, Harm and Pearl Christians; husband, Orville; brothers-in-law, Harlan Christians and Mick Christians; and sister-in-law, Beverly Leemkuil.

The Christians family would like to thank the Hospice team for care in her final months.