and shirley went into farming. on a small plot of starter land, they grew some corn and soybeans, then plowed the profits into more prime iowa acreage. shirley loved farming. she did everything. she just took to it, huh? she was a natural. she loved, loved being in the tractors. reporter: long-time friend and neighbor, irene schulz, said shirley brought a little pizzazz to the fields when she climbed into her custom-made tractor. she always put a little bit of makeup on every morning before she went out. you mean up on the john deere? she s she s decked out in the john deere. she she was. she had rosy cheeks. she was beautiful inside and out. reporter: in time, daughter jana married and moved away to a job in des moines. son billy went into the heating and air conditioning business. but jason, the youngest child, took to the land. i really enjoyed working with him. i was teaching him. he is a good farmer.