Shirley Funk

Shirley Lee Funk, 92, passed away peacefully February 11, 2024, at Logan County Hospital in Oakley, KS.

Born on January 24, 1932, in Oberlin, KS, to Fred and Lucile Davis, she was the youngest of three children.

As a young girl, Shirley moved with her family to Salina, KS, and as would be true for all of her life, she engaged in many community activities: visiting the library every day to check out Nancy Drew novels, preparing the Sunday programs for the First Christian Church, and dabbling in everything from swimming to art to tap dancing.

After graduating from Salina High School in 1950, Shirley spent two years at Kansas Wesleyan University, where she embraced her roles as cheerleader, chorister, and Delta Kappa sorority president, before transferring to the University of Colorado to complete her business degree. There, she joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, forging friendships that would last a lifetime.

During her freshman year at Wesleyan, Shirley met and fell in love with Bill Funk. On their first date, they danced and talked into the early hours of the morning, marking the beginning of a nearly 70-year journey together as dance partners and best friends. They married June 20, 1954, on a day hot enough to melt the candles.

As newlyweds, they lived in Kansas City while Bill finished dental school at UMKC and Shirley’s first job was with Hallmark Cards as the secretary to the secretary of J.C. Hall.

In 1956, they ventured west to Oakley, KS, which they would proudly call home for the rest of their lives. Together, they established Bill's dental practice, with Shirley playing an indispensable role as receptionist, dental assistant and office manager. They raised four children and immersed themselves in community life.

Shirley was Secretary-Treasurer of the Community Concert Series and Plains Theater Guild, Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, and Cookie Chairman and Day Camp Leader for the Girl Scouts. At Oakley Christian Church, she was a youth group leader, helped organize and teach VBS, and supported many other events over her many years as a devoted member. In her later years, she dedicated herself to causes close to her heart, such as the Heart Fund and Cancer Bridge, and passionately supported the local library. She was President of the Friends of the Library from 1998-2008 and Friends of the Library Director of NW KS from 2001-2008.

A voracious reader, Shirley also enjoyed golfing, crocheting, needlepoint, puzzles, and beating every one of her family members at every word game. She loved sports, taking cruises, and dancing with Bill. One of her greatest pleasures was traveling throughout western and central Kansas to support her grandchildren in their various school sports and competitions.

More than anything else, Shirley loved her family. Bill and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her world, and she was the center of theirs.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Bill, sister Mary Lou, and brother Kent. She is survived by children, Doug (Kathy) Funk, Lawrence; Terri (Chris) Albers, Oakley; Susan (David) Molstad, Ellis; and Kathleen (Blake) Arnberger, Colby; 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is 2-4:00 p.m. Sunday, February 18, 2024, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Funeral Service is 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 19, 2024, at the United Christian Church, Oakley, with burial in the Oakley City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the United Christian Church or Oakley Public Library and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com