Violet Lorraine (Spiers) Shaw was born on July 15, 1932, in rural Decatur County, Kansas, to Frank and Thelma (Clawson) Spiers. She passed February 26, 2023, at Decatur Health Systems in Oberlin, Kansas, at the age of 90.
Violet was the first of three children in her family. She attended District 47 country school in Center Township for eight years, and then started at Oberlin City School. She was delighted to go as she could learn to read and write. In 1949 she graduated from Decatur Community High School at the age of 16.
On August 12, 1950, Violet married her high school sweetheart, Ralph Shaw at the Oberlin United Methodist Church. Two boys were born to this union, Richard and Joel whom they were very proud of.
From an early age, Violet’s passion to read led her to become a teacher and librarian. In 1961 at the age of 28, Violet started her college career at Fort Hays State University. She graduated in 1964 with an A.B. Major English Graduate work in Library Science at Colorado State University, Kansas University, and earned Media Specialist at Fort Hays State University. She began her teaching career at Norcatur High School, then Decatur Community High School, McCook, NE High School, Widefield High School in Colorado, and finally back to Decatur Community High School. Her biggest challenge was to transfer the DCHS library from card catalog onto the complex computer entry system. Violet can be recognized for many other achievements as well, including having several articles published, in Farm Journal, one in The Good Old Days, and another in School Library Journal.
After retiring in 1995, Violet enjoyed growing big vegetable gardens, and canning and freezing their bountiful harvest. Violet especially enjoyed growing different varieties of roses. Her greatest love was to cook and bake for her family and friends, as there was always a spread of wonderful food. You could always count on Violet to say, “there is plenty, please go back for more!”
Violet was a member of the United Methodist Church, served as President of UWM for four years, and coordinated funeral dinners at the church for several years. Violet’s greatest legacy was that of her faith in Christ, and the Lord helped her to instill this same faith not only in her children, but also her grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Violet is survived by son and wife, Joel and Tami Shaw; daughter-in-law Anna Shaw; grandsons, Zach Shaw and Dante Robertson and wife Jasmine; granddaughter, Jennifer and husband Casey Harshman; and three great grandchildren, Isaac, Henry and Annabella Harshman; one sister, Joan Grafel; one brother and wife, Ben and Leone Spiers.
Violet was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ralph Shaw; son Richard Shaw; grandson Isaac Shaw.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 10:30AM at the Oberlin United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Oberlin Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the United Methodist Church or Oberlin City Library and may be sent in care of Pauls Funeral Home, 121 N. Penn Ave. Oberlin, KS 67749. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com