Wava Jean Shipley, 89. of Percival, Iowa, entered into eternal rest at Pleasant View in Rockport, Missouri, on Thursday, December 18, 2025. A celebration of life funeral service will be held at the Nishna Valley Funeral Home in Sidney, Iowa, on Friday, December 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. The family will greet relatives and friends with a visitation at the funeral home on Friday morning, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Sidney Cemetery in Sidney, Iowa. Lunch will be served at the Percival Community Church following the services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association. Professional Services under the direction of Nishna Valley Funeral and Cremation Service in Sidney, Iowa.

Wava was born on July 27, 1936, in Glenwood, Iowa, to Edward and Maggie (Jennings) Rainey. She attended various schools throughout southwest Iowa and graduated from Hamburg High School. Wava lived most of her adult life in Percival, Iowa.

After high-school, Wava worked as a cook and waitress at a restaurant in Shenandoah, Iowa, where she met the love of her life, Donald Shipley.

Wava and Donald were united in marriage on September 26, 1956. To this union, they welcomed their four sons, Mark, Mike, Marty, and Donald (Joey).

Wava had a tremendous love for children and she ran an in-home daycare for many years. She later went on to work for the Nebraska City Public Schools as dietary personnel. She also cleaned various homes and businesses throughout Nebraska City and Percival.

Wava was known for her quick wit and sense of humor. She enjoyed taking walks, collecting chicken décor and shopping—especially at thrift stores, as she could never pass up a good bargain. Most importantly, she was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her family. She was a member of the Percival Community Church and had an unwavering faith in God.

Wava is survived by her loving husband, Don; her children, Mark (Letha) of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Michael of Rock Port, Missouri; Marty (Teresa) of Sidney, Iowa; and Joey (Patsy) of Percival, Iowa; 13 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Georgia Sheridan and Terry Glasglow and many other family and friends.

Wava was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Maggie Rainey, her brothers Earl, Duane, Kenneth, Stevie, and sister Pauline Miller.