SHELLY LYNETTE BEAN

Shelly Lynette Bean, 60, of Muscatine Iowa, passed away peacefully on September 24th, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics.

A celebration of life will be held to honor her at the Muscatine Armory on October 26th from 12-4pm. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Shelly’s love for animals – especially her fur babies Crowbar and Bella- remembrances can be made out to It Takes A Village Animal Rescue and Resources or online at https://givebutter.com/ShellyBean

Shelly was born in Muscatine Iowa to Robert and Sherry Wagner on June 19th, 1964.

She was a lifelong resident of Muscatine and graduated from Muscatine High School class of 1982.

After an eight-year courtship, she finally gave in and agreed to marry Bruce Bean on April 3rd, 1993. Together they lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures. She enjoyed taking vacations with family and long weekend fall road trips to her favorite festivals. Shelly delighted in decorating their home – especially during the holidays. She also loved shopping…shopping…and shopping. It was a sure bet that most days you would see her out and about with her mom, the two of them grabbing lunch, popping by their favorite stores or at the nail salon – always chatting it up with everyone. They shared such a unique and admirable bond as mother and daughter. It goes without saying that Sherry not only lost her daughter – but her best friend.

Out of everything she loved, Shelly treasured her family the most. And as families go – there are several “sides”. But through Shelly, we all became united as one from the beginning. In her final days as we gathered together around her – it was so moving to see her surrounded by - not just people that loved her, but because of HER – loved each other. Though all weren’t biologically related – we have always considered each other family. How lucky we are that she bestowed us the blessing of each other and together we’ve shared our lives as family.

Shelly will be forever remembered for her loyalty, dependability and selflessness. She consistently went out of her way to take care of her family – and her definition of “family” extended to anyone she loved…always doing little thoughtful things to make everyone feel special…thinking first of everyone else before herself.

Though Bruce and Shelly didn’t have children of their own, they played an immeasurable role in the lives of their many nieces and nephews. To say that Shelly devoted herself to the role of “Aunt” doesn’t begin to scratch the surface. She was cherished like a second mother and shared such an unrivaled sweet love with each of them. Her door was always open, her time unwavering whenever they needed her. They all were her fiercest love…and even though she is physically gone -her love for them extends beyond the stars and will always find them wherever they are.

Shelly always considered herself lucky that she had so many siblings and loved them all. Even though she never came right out and said so – we all knew she held such a special place in her heart for her two youngest brothers – Michael and Sean. She adored them always and was the kind of older sister we all wish for. Their devotion for her was equally matched… Their commitment steadfast to her always..but their tenderness, love and vigilance to their sister and their mother in her final days was a beautiful reflection that they were raised in the arms of queens.

With unshakeable certainty Shelly would want a special mention to her “bonus”parents – Mike and Julie. She cherished your love so much and considered herself blessed to have you as parents. May you always know how much she loved you and cherished the love you had for her.

We would like to extend tremendous and heartfelt thanks to the exceptional staff at the University Of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Medical Intensive Care Unit & Palliative Care Unit for their care of Shelly and to us as her family.  To the extraordinary team at Compassus Hospice Care Cedar Rapids – may your kindness, compassion and humanity find its way back to you for the rest of your days. You ALL are a gift to your field.

Shelly is survived by her husband and love of her life, Bruce Bean of Muscatine. Her Mother and Stepfather, Mike and Sherry Boynton of Muscatine. Her stepmother, Julie Wagner of Muscatine; Siblings, Michael (Jamie) Boynton of Muscatine; Sean (Angie) Boynton of East Moline; Amy (Fred) Levinson of Muscatine; Andrea (Mark) Salmonson of Muscatine; Eric (Jeanne) Wagner of Wapello; Megan (Tom) Treptow of LaGrange, GA; Owen (Felicia) Wagner of Juliet, TN.

She is preceded in death by her father Robert Wagner and her brother Blaine Wagner.