Sheila Baustian

Sheila R. Baustian, age 67, of Eldridge, Iowa, passed away at her home on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Faith Lutheran Church, 500 W. LeClaire Road, in Eldridge, with Pastor Carrie Lewis LaPlante and Pastor Heather Geest officiating.  Services will be live streamed and may be viewed by visiting https://www.facebook.com/FaithLutheranEldridge. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery in DeWitt, Iowa.  Visitation will be held at the church on Friday evening from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Sheila’s name may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge.  Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Sheila Rae (Bowman) Baustian was born December 12, 1955, in Lexington, Nebraska, the daughter of Ronnie and Janet (Kreitz) Bowman.  She was married to Roger Don Baustian on June 4, 1977, in Eldridge.  The couple made their home on their farm in Scott County where they raised their two children, Ryan and Ashley.

In earlier years, Sheila worked as a school bus driver.  She loved transporting children to their events and had a soft spot in her heart for special needs kids.  She also enjoyed her work at the Bowman family auction business, and was a faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir for many years.

Sheila will be remembered for her love of people.  She delighted in hosting parties at the pond, dinners out with friends, and the company of family and friends.  She was a talented cook and always made enough to feed an army.  Her home was a warm and welcoming gathering place, with her kids’ friends treated as her own.  She meticulously mowed and cared for her yard, and her knack for growing beautiful flowers and gardens was admired by all who came to visit.

Sheila cherished her husband and children, but her five grandkids topped the list!  She made certain they knew how much she loved them and made every effort to attend their many activities.

Survivors include her husband, Roger; two children, Ryan (Katie) Baustian of Port Byron, Illinois, and Ashley (Justin) Huffman of Eldridge; five grandsons, Jake and Luke Baustian, and Camden, Drake, and Abe Huffman; her mother, Janet Bowman of Eldridge; a sister, Rhonda (Randy) Brockhouse of LeClaire; two brothers, Steve Bowman of Walcott, and Scott (Linda) Bowman of Maquoketa; as well as several beloved nieces and nephews and other extended family members.

Sheila was preceded in death by her father, Ronnie Bowman; her parents-in-law, Don and Shirley Baustian; and a nephew, Tommy Brockhouse.