Edith Marie “Edie” Breitenstein Shaffer, 91, of Birkwood Village in Fort Madison, Iowa, formerly of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 6:50 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Birkwood Village.
She was born on September 9, 1934, on the family farm three miles northeast of Farmington. Edith was the daughter of Walter and Sara Miner Breitenstein, one of nine children. She started school at Little Rock Schoolhouse and later attended Farmington High School, where she graduated in 1952.
On October 17, 1952, she married Dwaine Forsythe. They later divorced. On June 30, 1963, she married Donald Shaffer. With this marriage came several children. Don brought with him two sons: Mark, age seven, and Mike, age five. Edie had three children: Cathy, age ten; David, age nine; and Jim, age five. In 1964, Scott was born, making their family eight in number. The family lived in Farmington. In 1993, Don and Edie moved to the house they built that sits on fifteen acres beside Shimek Forest.
In 1952, Edie worked at the Sheaffer Pen Company for various departments. She retired in 1997. After her retirement, she worked ten years cooking meals for the Farmington Senior Center.
Edie enjoyed being outside working in her garden, hunting for morel mushrooms, and having family get-togethers at their pond “Lake-E-Don”. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, cross-stitch, and crocheting. She loved her family and “making memories,” as she would say.
Survivors include her six children: Cathy (Bernie) McCauley, David (Diana) Forsythe, James (Tina) Forsythe, Mark (Lisa) Shaffer, Mike Shaffer and Scott (Julie) Shaffer; ten grandchildren: Courtney (Janice) McCauley, Stephanie Merrill, Amy (Aaron) Meyers, Blake (Amy) Forsythe, Ryan (Erin) Forsythe, Grant Shaffer, Elizabeth (Evan) Longanecker, Stacie Obil, Megan Huffman and Cory (Ana) Forsythe. Also surviving is sister: Sue Spanier, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Don; four brothers: Glenn, Jack, Harold, Charles and Larry; two sisters: Virgil Kerr and Betty Mead.
A visitation with family receiving friends will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington with Pastor Jarid Myers officiating.
Burial will be in Greenglade Cemetery in Farmington.
A memorial has been established in her memory for Farmington EMT’s.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements.