Shirley Parnell

Send Flowers Shirley A. Parnell September 21, 1943 - July 29, 2018 Shirley (Donn) Parnell, 74, passed away Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, KS surrounded by nieces and nephews. She was born on September 21, 1943 to Carsen and Freda (Duden) Donn in Colby, KS at St. Thomas Hospital. Shirley attended Levant schools until its closure and transferred to Colby where she graduated in 1961. In her early years, she worked at Rexall drugstore and was a switchboard operator for SouthWestern Bell. Shirley married James “Dick” Parnell on May 2, 1973, and lived in Goodland, KS. They moved to Lincoln, NE in 1974 where she worked at her brother John’s bowling alley, and then moved to York, NE in 1979. While in York, Dick and Shirley were active members of the Elks, and Shirley was a member of the Elk Does where she served as president. She worked as a teller at York Bank and also owned a liquor store that she and Dick operated. In 1992, they moved back to Colby to take care of her elderly mother. She worked at Colby Public Schools, USD 315, as a bookkeeper in the Administration Office from 1994-2010. Shirley was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She joined Sacred Heart Catholic Church in 1994 and served as a Eucharistic minister, server, hospitality, parish council, and was also on the Arts and Environment committee, decorating the church for several years. Shirley’s hobbies included spending time with family, cooking, canning, making Christmas candies, and family genealogy. She enjoyed maintaining contact with high school classmates and hosting class reunions at her home. Traveling was something that she and Dick enjoyed doing through the years. Shirley also loved passing down traditions to her family. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband “Dick”; brothers Vern, Jim (Eva), John, and sister Erma (Eugene) Hein; great-niece Ami Donn; great-nephews Mickey Jr. Donn and Jason Donn; and great-great niece Everly Graham. Surviving are nieces and nephews James “Ike” (Diane) Donn, Glenda Merideth, Greg Hein, Julie (Drew) Barnes, all of Colby; Carsen (Patti) Donn, Colorado; Roy Donn, Texas; David Donn, Mickey Donn, Gary (Cathy) Donn, Kenny (Pari) Donn, Jackie (Dennis Sr.) McGuire, and sister-in-law Frances Donn, all of Florida; and sister-in-law Mary (Rob) Heninger and family. She also leaves behind many great nieces and nephews as well as great-great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 2:00-7:00pm on Thursday, August 2nd at Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel with vigil services at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Friday, August 3rd at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Colby. Burial will follow at Beulah Cemetery. Memorials to the Church in care of the Funeral Chapel Condolences: kersenbrockfuneralchapel.com