Sheila Elizabeth Schuster passed away Sunday, October 14, three days shy of her 49th birthday. Sheila was diagnosed with stage four non-hodgkins mantle cell lymphoma in 1997. Her theory was if 98% of the people die from this, someone has to be in the 2%. And that's exactly what she did for ten years. Sheila not only survived but truly lived. She faced each treatment, each challenge with a strength and grace that remains a true testament of hope to everyone who knew her.

Sheila was born October 17, 1958 to James and Catherine Johnson. She graduated from Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa and went on to graduate from Simpson College with a degree in Mass Communications.

While at Simpson College, she met her husband Doug Schuster and they were married in 1982 and would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on October 23.

Sheila was the Director of Public Relations at Simpson College from 1981 to 1985. She also owned and operated her own businesses – Schuster Designs, a desktop publishing company and Eliza Lyn, where she designed and created handmade polymer clay jewelry. She sold her jewelry, among other places, in the Cultural Center at the Iowa State Fair for 12 years. More recently she taught five years at Indianola Preschool and was working at Tim McConnell Photography.

There were so many things that were a part of Sheila's life but her true passions were her family and her many friends. She and Doug have two beautiful daughters, Sarah, a senior at Drake University and Amy, a freshman at Simpson College. Sheila was an amazing mother and role model.

People were drawn to Sheila and she made time for everyone. Her genuine concern, love and caring were always evident. She remained positive in tough times and always led by example.

Sheila was a member of the United Methodist Church where she and Doug taught high school Sunday School for nine years. She was also a member of P.E.O, Chapter BP, and belonged to two book clubs.

Sheila leaves behind her husband Doug, and two daughters, Sarah and Amy. She is also survived by her mother, Catherine Johnson of Indianola, her brother Grant Johnson, his wife Jill and their sons Derek and Brett also of Indianola, and her brother Bruce Johnson and his wife Christine of New York City.

She was preceded in death by her father, James Johnson.

Following a private family service and interment, a celebration of Sheila's life will be held 5:00 p.m., Thursday, October 18 at Smith Chapel on the campus of Simpson College, followed by a gathering at Great Hall on the Simpson Campus.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be given to the Schuster Family. At a later date, they will direct these memorials in a way that will honor Sheila's life and the impact she had on others.