Shirley Ann Ummel was born into the large family of Jacob “Jake” and Charlotte “Lottie” (Voos) Hemel on September 3, 1940 in Dighton, Kansas. This is where she grew up and attended school, graduating from Dighton High with the class of 1958.
On August 5, 1961, Shirley married the love of her life, Gary Ummel in Dighton and the two raised five children. They made their home for over 40 years in Harper, Kansas and in addition to taking care of her family, Shirley worked for many years at the Harper Hospital. She was an avid reader and wrote a few published short stories as well as a children’s book. Shirley’s favorite thing to do was spending time with her grandchildren.
Shirley Ann Ummel was a daughter to Jake and Lottie Hemel. She was a beloved sister to twelve siblings, who remember Shirley as Sug, short for Sugar, because Shirley loved her Sugar. She was the baby of the family for seven years, until her sister Linda came along. Shirley was certain that the aliens had dropped Linda off on their doorstep, and she often wished she could send Linda back.
Shirley was a wife to Gary Ummel Sr. and though he’s now in Heaven, he might’ve remembered her as a relentless pursuer. She pursued Gary to date and marry her. Shirley and their children pursued Gary as he worked in various locations until they finally settled in Harper. And at many times she “Pursued” him, (some might say “nagged”) at him to do whatever it was she wanted him to do. Some might say that’s why Gary developed what was suspected to be selective hearing. But they were a unit, a pair, true loves, and two strong pillars for their family. (One long and tall pillar, the other one a little squattier.)
Shirley was a mother to five children, Bruce, Glenda, Kelle, Kriste, and Gary Jr. Her children have many memories from their childhoods, from her bouffant hair, to her stern, frying pan wielding discipline, to her time as a bartender at Fern’s Tavern which ultimately landed her in jail, to times she raced them in their cars home from the bar, (sorry about that bit in retrospect, Jesus.)
Shirley was an aunt, a caregiver, and a friend to so many. She was a grandmother, and a great-grandmother, and that was her greatest joy.
Born in Dighton Kansas in 1940, right on the heels of the Great Depression, Shirley would become no stranger to hard times. Over the years there would be many times when she and Gary Sr. made do with very little, doing their best to provide for their family. Throughout her life, there were many times that Shirley would experience loss and heartache. But when you think about Shirley, she isn’t remembered for the hard times. Many remember Shirley for her ability to find joy in the simpler things: conversation, a good book, a typewriter, a deck of cards, a song, a trip to the bingo hall or casino, a smile on the face of someone she loved.
Shirley is remembered for the many qualities that defined her. Her intelligence, her sharp wit, (and sometimes her sharp tongue), her sense of humor, and a love for her family, her country, and Jesus. She was resourceful. S he was thoughtful. She was crafty.
Shirley made sure her family and friends knew how loved they were. And she showed that love in so many ways. She would write you letters. She would pick up a trinket from a garage sale that reminded her of you. She would take a clipping from a newspaper that she thought you might like. She would comfort you when you were sad. She would feed you when you were hungry. She made herself present in your life. She listened, she looked into your heart, and she understood you.
You see, Shirley was rich. She was rich with the blessings she had, and the abundance of blessings that she bestowed upon her loved ones. She was rich with laughter, with creativity, with love. She was rich for having found and raised a family with her soul mate. And she is rich because she believed in God and Heaven.
It’s no surprise then that Shirley was surrounded by the richness of her loving family during the days that her earthy body failed, as she smiled and took her last breath and walked into the warm embrace of God. Shirley’s family and friends and all her rich legacy, can now rejoice, knowing that Shirley is in Heaven. She has been liberated of her earthly body, no longer limited and confined but soaring among angels. As we say goodbye to Shirley, we can take comfort that her spirit lives on. As many ways as Shirley had of showing her love on Earth, I’ll bet, if you watch closely, she’ll be finding special ways to tell you she loves you from Heaven. So let your heart be light and know that one day Shirley will be waiting to receive us with open arms in Kingdom of Heaven.
Shirley passed away at the age of 83 on February 15, 2024 in Wichita, Kansas. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Lottie Hemel; husband, Gary Ummel Sr; brothers: Edwin, Delmar, Clifford, Reuben, Donald, and Jake Jr; sister, Betty Murphy; infant sister, Nedra Sue; and infant great-grandson, Anson Henning. Shirley is survived by her children: Bruce Quenzer (Kathy) of Spring Hill, Kansas, Glenda Pittman (Wayland) of Bonner Springs, Kansas, Kelle Green (Norman) of Harper, Kriste Henning (Allen) of Nashville, Kansas, and Gary Ummel Jr (Shannon) of Harper; sisters: Melva, Ila, Alice, and Linda; thirteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Graveside inurnment service for Shirley and her husband, Gary, will be held at the Ransom Cemetery, Ransom, Kansas on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.