Shirley Marlene Cunningham, daughter of Donald Thomas and Blanche Lucille (Selders) Ryan, Sr., was born on February 24, 1935 in Tarkio Township, Page County, Iowa. She passed away on June 17, 2016 at The Ambassador Sidney in Sidney, Iowa. She was 81 years old.

She graduated from Tarkio High School with the class of 1953.

On May 12, 1967 she was united in marriage to Harry R. Cunningham in Nebraska City, Nebraska. They made their home in Shenandoah, Iowa.

Shirley was a housewife and mother. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, cooking, word searches and an avid reader of Louis L'Amour. She also loved attending her plants and flowers.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Harry Cunningham, daughter Jodi Matheny, grandson Matt Hullman, parents Blanche and Donald Ryan, Sr., brothers Don Ryan and James Ryan, sister Lois Gene Walters, son-in-law Don Fletcher and brother-in-law Duane Lorimor, nieces Laura Wynn and Terri Lockerby and nephew Gene Ryan.

Shirley is survived by her children Barbara Nelson of Shenandoah, Kent Cunningham and wife Donna of Coin, Jimmy Cunningham and wife Karen of Farragut, Donna Cheeves of Nashville, TN, Marlene Thompson and husband Kenny of Oklahoma, Linda Hullman and husband Bruce of Shenandoah, David Balian and wife Sueann of Florida, Bryan Cunningham and wife Annette of Shenandoah, Wally Cunningham of Shenandoah and Caryn Cunningham of Shenandoah, 20 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, sisters Joyce Wynn and husband Morris of Shenandoah and Evelyn Lorimor of Shenandoah, sisters-in-law Beverly Ryan of Shenandoah and Mary Ryan of Farragut, numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association.

Burial will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah.