Shirley A. Engel, 85, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away February 26th, 2021, at Brookside Retirement Community in Overbrook.
Shirley was born on October 29th, 1935, in Inland, NE to W.A. and Lillian (Brehm) McCune. She was raised in Harvard, NE and graduated from Harvard High School in 1953. She worked for Harvard State Bank, Harvard, NE for many years until they moved to Lawrence, KS in May of 1976. She then went to work for Douglas County Bank in Lawrence and retired from there in 1993.
In 1955, Shirley married Donald Lee Engel and the two celebrated 62 wonderful years of marriage. Shirley and Don moved to Lawrence, KS in 1976 when Don transferred to the Farmland Industries plant in Lawrence. In 1985, they moved to a farm in the Pomona, KS area. In 2010, Shirley and Don retired from the farm and moved to Lawrence to a townhouse that was part of a retirement community. They were blessed with good neighbors who became good friends who also were willing to help them whenever they were needed. Shirley became a resident of Brookside Retirement Community in June 2020 due to two falls at home – the first one resulting in a broken hip and the second one a broken shoulder.
Shirley had many talents including playing the piano and organ at the church in Harvard and was a member of the Bell Choir at the Methodist Church in Overbrook, KS. She was a member of Eastern Star in Harvard, Lions Club in Lawrence and a member of the United Methodist Church.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Don, her parents and her sister, Karen (McCune) Osborn. Survivors include four sons, Donald Jr. and wife Jeanie of Kearney, NE, Jerald and wife Barbara of Pomona, KS, Doug and wife Mary of Joplin, MO and Dennis and wife Brenda of Kansas City, MO. Nine grandchildren, Tyler Engel and wife Leslie, Tanner Engel and wife Cassi, Renae Mitchell and husband Casey, Jamie Agius and husband Joe, Doug Engel Jr. and wife Ellen, Brandon Engel, Ashlynn Engel, Matthew Perez-Engel and Lauren Perez-Engel. Twenty great grandchildren Savannah, Camden, Marin, Lucy, Nolan, Landry, Selah, Lainy, Libby, Londyn, Dax, Micah, Jake, John, Trent, Alex, Audrey, Nora, Emma and Sadie. Above all, Shirley valued the time spent with her family, especially watching her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren progress through the stages of their lives.
Funeral services will be at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, KS on Thursday, March 4th, 2021, at 2 pm with visitation following the service. The service will be viewable via Facebook LIVE on the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home Facebook page immediately prior to the service.
The graveside burial service will be Saturday, March 6th, 2021 at 2 pm Harvard Cemetery, Harvard NE. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association sent in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
During a get-acquainted activity at Lions Club, Shirley said she graduated from Harvard. We were very impressed until we found out it was from Harvard, NE. I enjoyed her friendship.
i waited on shirley at perkins for 14 years and this is so sad. she was so kind and patient came in with her son a time or two. we all loved her so much. i will remember all those memories always she was an angel.
Shirley and my wife Jeanene (Keasling) we’re lifetime friends sharing the same birthday. Shirley was one of the people she remembered when Alzheimer’s made her memories fade. My prayers go to the family
I have many wonderful memories as we were growing up as kids and then growing our own families. She was very special. So many cousins and so few of us left. We were all blessed to know her. Very sorry for your loss.
My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. Shirley was such a dear lady! We had good times as “handbell buddies.” She will be missed.
Condolences to family & friends of Shirley, with whom she shared a rich life of caring, spirit, good humor & love.
I got to know Shirley when Don was at Pioneer Ridge and my Mom lived there too. Later, we would lunch together with Mary and Pat. She was such a sweet and happy soul. I miss her already.
Shirley was always one of my favorites! In recent years I so enjoyed get togethers with Pat & Joyce, and Shirley. The last one was an outing to see Bridges of Madison County at Theater Lawrence. May the wonderful memories of Shirley give your family peace & joy.
I worked with Shirley for many years at DCB and then after her retirement I was lucky enough to see her often at DCB lunches and the bank. She was a pleasure to work with and so fun to be around. I’ve missed her company, her stories about the grandkids, her smile, and her love of her family. I’m sorry for your loss and hope you know how loved she was.
I’m so sorry for your loss of your mother. I worked with Shirley at Douglas County Bank she was a very sweet kind person. She will be missed at our monthly luncheon for DCB retirees . With deepest sympathy.
Shirley was such a caring & wonderful friend. Her smile was so genuine. She will be missed by all. May God give the family comfort knowing she & Don are reunited again.
So sorry to hear this sad news. My memories go back to when we were kids and there were many family get togethers. Am sure Shirley left the family with much love and good values.
Beautiful picture, wonderful lady gone to soon. I’ll always remember her that way. I’m sure she and your Dad are making up for lost time, and are both without pain and suffering…the restraints of their ailments released like chains ~ may peace be with them.
I worked with Shirley at Douglas County Bank and a very dear friend of mine! Don brought cattle to us when we had the Overbrook Livestock sale Barn! They were special people. I will miss Shirley as I work at Brookside Retirement. WE HAD SO MANY GOOD LAUGHS EVERYDAY!
May God bless and comfort each and every member of the family.
So sorry for your lost. I knew your mom through your dad’s work at Farmland. Your mom was always so pleasant and nice. I always enjoyed talking with her. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sending my sympathy to you all!! Never easy to lose a parent, at any age. Doug, my 1977 classmate, Dennis, with whom I share a birth date, Jerry, no much older than me, Jeanie, I think of volleyball and Don Jr…you were So much older, LOL-hugs to you all!!!
When I think of a thoroughly kind and truly Christian lady, I will return to my memories of Shirley Engel. There can be no doubt, her faith has lifted her up to be with her true love, Don, and to be received into the arms of her God & Savior.
I cherished the friendship I developed with Shirley when she began working with me at Douglas County Bank and it continued after we both retired from the bank. She was a warm, positive person who always greeted people with her wonderful smile. Her family and her work family were so important to her. I will miss her.
Loved working with Shirley at Harvard State Bank in the summers. Will miss hearing from her at Christmas. She was a sweetie. I had a nice visit with Shirley at my 50th class reunion in 2016. Loved her smile and giggle.
My condolences to the family. So sorry to read of her passing. I worked with Shirley at Douglas County Bank in the early 80’s for 5 years. She was my supervisor and loved working with her. We talked a lot of sports especially KU basketball. She was a wonderful lady. Bless her.
I met Shirley shortly after she and Don moved to Lawrence and she accepted a job at Douglas County Bank where I worked. She became one of my best friends ever. I’ll always remember her sweet smile and will treasure her friendship.
I am sorry to learn of Shirley’s passing. We became friends through the Lawrence Noon Lions Club, which enjoyed having both Shirley and Don join. We will treasure their memories.