worked at the First Methodist Church at Cedar Falls as Secretary and Educational Assistant. From 1956 until 1957 she taught Language Arts and Typing in South Junior High at Ft. Dodge, IA. She received her M.A. degree from the University of Iowa in 1964 after studying summers prior to her graduation.

Ralph and Tom Greenslade by yard fence, June 5, 1995.

Shirley was engaged to Nels Samuelson, Jr. of Ft. Dodge who managed the John Deere dealership with his father. The wedding was scheduled for Jun 1959. Nels, Jr. died of cancer 19 Mar that year. While living in Ft. Dodge, Shirley was active in the Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School and holding offices in the Wesleyan Guild. She was also president of a social sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa.

Ralph Greenslade and daughter, Nancy Riker, July, 1995.

Shirley was married to Carl Benson of Bucklin, MO 24 Jun 1967 at the Burr Oak Methodist Church by Dr. Herbert D. Temple. Dr. Temple was her pastor when she worked at the Cedar Falls church.

Shirley and Carl lived on Carl’s farm in Baker Twp., Linn Co, MO for 21 1/2 years until Carl's death 1 Jan 1989. A week later Shirley’s father, Albert, had a slight stroke. After several weeks of hospitalization, he went to Green Lea Manor at Mabel, MN for therapy. He was never able to walk alone and remained at the nursing home until his death 31 May 1993 at age 96. He was one month and two days short of celebrating 74 years of marriage with his wife Florence.

Shirley moved to her parents’ home in Burr Oak in 1990 to help take care of them. Shirley was with Florence eight months when her mother had a slight stroke and went to Green Lea Manor for therapy where she is still living. She was 99 years old 23 Dec 1995.

Shirley was married to Ralph Greenslade, son of Robert and Ruth (Taylor) Greenslade, 7 Dec 1991 in the Burr Oak Methodist Church by the Rev. Ruth Lovejoy. Shirley and Ralph now live in the house where her parents once lived.

Ralph and Audrey Manning, daughter of Ben and Ruby (Wicks) Manning, were high school sweethearts in Burr Oak High School and were married during World War II. They had two children: Tom Greenslade and Nancy Greenslade Riker. Audrey died 1 Oct 1977. Ralph has 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Ralph served in World War II and was stationed at Camp Hood, TX.

Ralph and Shirley Greenslade, November 1, 1994.

Shirley and Ralph are active members of the United Methodist Church in Burr Oak. Ralph has served on the Board of Trustees at the Methodist Church and is one of the ushers. Shirley belongs to the United Methodist Women, the Wesleyan Circle and the Joan of Arc Club. She chose to join the latter because she remembers the years that her mother attended those meetings while Shirley was still at home. Shirley was instructed to stay with ‘Aunt Florence Perry” on the corner until her mother returned from the Joan of Arc Club meeting. While staying with Frank and Florence Perry, she enjoyed playing their player piano. It was one of many pleasant memories of her childhood.

Greenslade, Richard and Mary Ann (Bucknell)

(Corrine Arnold)

Richard Greenslade, born in London, England 25 Jun 1848, married Mary Ann Bucknell. Mary, born 21 Aug 1853 in London, was the daughter of Robert and Mary Ann (Monder) Bucknell. Her father was born 31 Dec 1829 in South Moulton, Devonshire, England.