The Free Press
—
Ruth "Shirley" (McQuatters) Drury, 91 of North Mankato, Minnesota, formerly of Northwood, died Sunday, April 15, 2012, at Immanuel St. Joseph's Mayo Health System, hours after suffering a heart attack in the North Mankato, MN, home.
Friends and family will gather in Northwood, Iowa, this week to remember Shirley and her exceptional life. The viewing will occur at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. South, Northwood, on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., followed by the funeral service 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at the Northwood United Methodist Church, 1000 First Ave. North, with Pastor Wendi Gillan officiating.
Memorial flowers may be sent to the Conner Colonial Chapel, and donations given to the Susan g. Komen for the Cure, in honor of her daughter.
Born on September 10, 1920, in worth County, Iowa, Shirley was the daughter of Claude and Ruth "Hazel" (Buchanan) McQuatters. Shirley graduated from Northwood High School and received a secretarial degree from Hamilton Business College, specializing in shorthand. All who knew Shirley remember her as a woman of style and substance. Professionally, she was a hard worker with a brilliant array of careers, including U.S. Army secretary, bookbinder, movie theater owner, bowling alley and restaurant owner, cook, and bowling instructor. Personally, she was an adored wife, and devoted mother, a beloved grandmother, a proud great grandma, an influential youth mentor, a dynamic friend, and a vibrant community member. Some of Shirley's greatest joys in life were music, reading, travel, sunshine, theater, golfing, baking, and most of all, spending time with her family.
Left to cherish her memory is her brother, James McQuatters of Albuquerque, NM; her daughter, Diane (Ron) Myli of Northwood; son-in-law Charles LaGow; six grandchildren, Ryan (Angela) Hylland of Seattle, WA, Alan Myli of Northwood, Adam (Amanda) Myli of Toledo, IA, and Andrea (Naylan Gates-Long) Myli of Waterloo, IA, Patti (Chip) Kudrel, Barbara LaGow; eight great grandchildren, Szaba Hylland, Amber and Phillip Myli, Natalie, Alison and Aaron Kudrel, Jack and Michaella Bergman; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Laura (McQuatters) Lanstrum; her brother, Earl "Philip" McQuatters; her inspiring daughter and dear friend, Mary "Sue" (Drury) LaGow; and her husband of 50 years, Herschel Ralph Drury, who always called her his "bride".
