Sheila Dunagan Sidles

Ms. Sidles was raised in Ames, where her father (Walter Dunagan) was a professor at Iowa State. She attended and graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Home Economics. While employed in Davenport, Iowa she re-met and married Harry Sidles, a former acquaintance and graduate of Iowa State. While raising her four children, she started her busy career in public service, initially in Wheaton, Illinois where she was active in League of Women Voters community development, etc. The family relocated to Centerville in 1967 and opened a family run and owned farm supply business. As her children grew, Sheila's interests expanded to consumer advocacy (President of Iowa Consumers League, national appointment by President Jimmy Carter to be the Chair of the Highway Safety Committee.) She remained active in community activities (School Board Member and President) and continued her education at Drake University, obtaining a Masters in Adult Education. The year her youngest daughter started Medical School, mom applied to and was accepted at Drake Univ. Law Program (their oldest applicant. She graduated and passed her Bar exam in 1985, shortly before her 60th birthday). Since then, she has had an active Family Law practice, with a special interest in Children in Need of Assistance. She also is currently President of Rotary.

A busy, active life filled with adventure, service and education, never afraid to push the limits, always with humor, integrity, and courage. My mother is truly an exceptional woman; an example of living life to the fullest.

Submitted on 10/13/94