Shirley (Emmert) Starnes, age 70 of Grinnell, died on Friday, November 20, 2020 at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. A face mask will be required for those attending the service. Live streaming of the service will begin at 1:45 pm on the Smith Funeral Home and Cremation Service Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SmithFuneralHomeCremationService. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be designated to UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Hospice, mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Online condolences may be shared with Shirley's family online at www.smithfh.com. Shirley Sue Emmert was born the daughter of Lee Edward Emmert and Mary Elizabeth (Allen) Emmert on January 3, 1950 in Grinnell, Iowa. She was raised on the family farm and graduated from Grinnell High School in 1968. She attended Marshalltown Community College. Shirley was united in marriage to Larry Starnes in 1968 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Their marriage was blessed with a son, Craig and a daughter, Sara. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Maryland while Larry was serving in the United States Navy. Following his service, they returned to Iowa and made their home on the Emmert family farm north of Grinnell and Shirley was a homemaker and later worked as CNA at area nursing homes. Their marriage later ended in divorce. She was also employed at Casey's General Store, where she made donuts and pizza, and Meskwaki Bingo and Casino. She was a member of the Newburg Chester Congregational Church. Shirley held a strong faith and adored her family. She cherished the times when she was with her grandchildren. She held a special love for her cat, Binx. Her enjoyments were tending to her yard, going to the casinos, and taking pictures. Shirley is survived by her children, Craig Starnes of The Dalles, OR and Sara (Carlos) Badillo of Hood River, OR; three grandchildren, Ryan Starnes, Emma Vega, and Natalia Vega; half-sister, Betty Jantzen of Tama; and her nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brothers, Marvin and Williard Emmert.