Emmy Lou "Bee" Shira

Emmy Lou “Bee” Shira, born March 2, 1927, in Flint, Michigan to Thomas Boyd Hill and Mina (Gaede) Hill. She graduated from Elgin High School and went on to earn an associate’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1948. Bee was employed as a corporate magazine editor at Ceco Steel, flying on business trips in the man’s world of the 1950s.

Bee married David L. Shira in 1954 and lived in Wheaton, IL for thirty years. Their church home was Bethany Chapel. As they raised their family, Bee worked as a book editor, adult Sunday School curriculum editor, and freelance writer. The couple moved to Memphis, TN in 1984. Second Presbyterian Church became the hub of their lives with many opportunities to grow and minister to others.

In 2000 they settled in Sioux City and were founding members of Peace Reformed Church. Emmy Lou has treasured the relationships formed in Bible Study and Sunday Worship with these dear friends. She relished facilitating a group gathered to discuss the Bible and the journey of following Jesus Christ.

During the pandemic, Bee did not let the threat of Covid stand in her way of writing her first novel and at the age of 94, Bee self-published!

Her family is quick to mention how she “loved with food”, always making favorite cookies and cooking fresh from Dave’s garden.

Bee was preceded in death by her husband David Shira; son-in-law Jeff Macfarlane; beloved Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-Law; and her parents.

She is survived by: Daughters Jill Shira (former son-in-law Charles Guice), and Holly Macfarlane, Sioux City; four granddaughters: Hannah (Nick) Kirkendall, Des Moines; Lucy Macfarlane (Alex Arroyo), South Bend, IN; Clara (Simon) Coly, Sioux City; Mae Macfarlane (Lukas Buhler), Eagen, MN. Four great-grands, to whom she was known as “GGB”: Maximilian, Francis, Yotey, and Evelyn; and much-loved nieces and nephews.

The family feels a debt of gratitude to neighbors, church friends, and friends around the world who remained in mom’s life these many years, and to our newest family members at Holy Spirit Retirement Home.

A memorial service to honor Bee will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Peace Reformed Church in Sioux City with Pastor Jason Van Wyk officiating. Following the service there will be a luncheon and time of fellowship at the church. Burial will take place at Graceland Park Cemetery. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is assisting with arrangements.