Shelly Delight Sterner, 61, passed away on August 10, 2026, after a three-year battle with cancer. Shelly was born November 28, 1964, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Dale Sterner and Thelma Baysinger. She grew up in Tipton, Iowa, and spent part of her childhood in Hackensack, Minnesota, where she made some of her favorite memories fishing with her dad on Man Lake.

Shelly worked incredibly hard to provide for her family. She was fiercely independent and protective of those she loved, with an entrepreneurial spirit that often had her running one—or sometimes several—businesses from home.

For more than 20 years, Shelly worked at the Torchlight in East Moline, where she made countless friends. She loved people, country music, and a good glass of wine.

Shelly loved the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, DA BEARS, watching a good thunderstorm roll in, and spending time on the beaches of the Dominican Republic. Above all, she loved her family fiercely. She was happiest in a pool with her granddaughters or cheering on Kyle on the golf course. She never hesitated to help Sheena chase her dreams, always finding a way to make things possible.

Her three granddaughters, affectionately known as “Gaga’s Girls,” were among the greatest joys of her life. Her bond with them began with Emery, who was born during Shelly’s first battle with cancer and was given her middle name. Becoming a grandma was one of the proudest moments of Shelly’s life, and Emery Delight’s arrival gave her even more strength to fight and ultimately win that first battle. She adored all three of her girls beyond measure, along with her three grand-puppies Obi, Nimbus and Winnie.

That fierce love for her family was evident until the very end. Shelly fought for every single day she was given. She simply wasn’t ready to leave the people she loved, and she faced three years of cancer with remarkable strength, determination, and an unwillingness to give up the fight.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dale Sterner and Thelma Baysinger; her sister, Susan Cunningham; nephew, John Herington; and her niece, Shara Spies.

Shelly is survived by her daughter, Sheena Descamps (Brad); her son, Kyle Lopez (Courtney); her beloved granddaughters, Emery Delight, Paige and Lydia; her siblings, Stephanie Herington, Shawn Sterner, Steve Sterner and Lee Sterner; and many extended family members and friends.

We are grateful for the many friends and family members who prayed for Shelly, cheered her on, showed up, gave generously, and helped carry her and our family through some of the darkest days. There were times when we truly could not have done it without you.

A special thank you to her “BFF’s Barbara “Barbie” Meredith and LuAnn Sheets, whose love, friendship, and encouragement truly lifted Shelly up through her final months.

Cancer touches nearly every family in one way or another. In Shelly’s memory, our continued hope and prayer is for a day when no family has to lose someone they love to this disease.

A Celebration of Life for Shelly will be held Friday, August 28, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Mississippi River Distilling Company Celebration Center in LeClaire, Iowa. A memorial account will be established in Shelly’s honor to help fulfill her wish for a memorial bench along the Mississippi River. Details will be shared soon.

Shelly leaves behind an enormous hole in the lives of those who loved her, but also a lifetime of stories, laughter, strength, friendship and love.

When the Bears find the end zone, the Cubs score a run, Kinnick waves to the kids, a storm rolls in, or the waves meet the shore, we hope those who loved Shelly will think of her and smile.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and express condolences on her memory page at www.mvcremation.com.