Andrea J. Shireman, age 74, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 3:26 p.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, surrounded by her loving family. To honor Andrea’s life, funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, August 30, 2018, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, with Dan Shireman officiating. To celebrate Andrea’s life, family and friends may visit from 2:00 p.m., until the time of services at 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, August 30, 2018, at Behr Funeral Home. Burial will be in Seventh Day Adventist Cemetery.

Andrea was born on July 2, 1944, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Andrew John and Naomi (Hoag) Psaros.

Andrea proudly graduated from Dubuque Senior High School, and went on to work with the A.M.A. in Chicago for 12 years before eagerly returning to Dubuque to follow her deepest passion of helping those who were less fortunate than herself. Andrea was an unrelenting advocate for those in need within her community and faithfully ran the Washington Neighborhood Center & Homeless Shelter for over 12 years, with her husband, Dan, while also being very involved with the Crossover Foundation. It was through her involvement in those organizations that she would meet and eventually marry the love of her life, Dan Shireman. The two were united in marriage on August 8, 1997, in Dubuque, and were truly blessed and thankful to have just celebrated their 21st anniversary earlier this month. Andrea and Dan continued to work with the homeless in Dubuque and were always honored to be able to participate in the Christmas Dinner’s at Loras College, and with the End of Summer B.A.S.H. (Become Active, Stop Homelessness). She had a larger than life personality perfectly packed into her small 4’10” frame; but when combined with her boundless energy and unceasing spirit of love, Andrea would easily tower over anyone who stood in her way. Andrea was non-judgemental at her core and thrived on living life to its fullest; always quick with a story, or a joke, to unite the room around her. Our world, and surely our community are going to be missing the undeniably generous mind, body and soul of Andrea moving forward. Her positive impact has been both invisible, and yet tangible in countless lives over the years. We know Andrea accepted Yeshua into her heart, and through her faith and actions while she resided here on earth, He has surely accepted her today. We hope she is wandering peacefully along the heavenly beaches with her metal detector firmly in hand, and thankfully we know that her eternal family who has been awaiting her arrival is currently catching her up on the good news that in her new world everything is perfect everyday and nobody will ever need another advocate working diligently in the name of love. Time to rest Andrea and job well done Thy good and faithful servant!

Those left to cherish Andrea’s memory include

her loving husband,
Dan Shireman, Dubuque, IA;

her children,
Merri Christina Voshell, Pueblo, CO,
Valerie (Brian) Lau, Dubuque, IA
and Jackie (Jim Weiner) Voshell, Dubuque, IA;

7 grandchildren,
Brad Shickels, Betty Simms, Martin (Holly Thill) Voshell, Lindsay (Joe Hardine) Derrig, Emily (Devante Kidd) Voshell, Michael (Richard Fullmer) Voshell and Jason Voshell;

numerous great-grandchildren;

and her siblings,
Audrey Morey,
John (JoAnn Marburger) Psaros
and Michael Psaros, all of Dubuque, IA,

and a Godson/nephew,
Matthew Morey.

Andrea was preceded in death by her parents; her grandson, Adam Voshell; a sister, Julia Aldrich; and a brother, Gary Lucy.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com