Loretta Maxine (Eisenbise) Shaw left us on February 26, 2021, to be reunited with Dean and Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior. Loretta was born six miles south of Quinter, KS on the farm, August 28, 1926.
There on the farm, she grew up with her parents, Ethel and Byron, her brother, Marion, and sister, Geneva. They left the farm and traveled with Byron for his work when the Depression hit, and they weren't able to maintain life on the farm. During that time, they lived in many places in Kansas and Oklahoma. At the end of the Depression, they returned to the area and lived in Grainfield. During her time living in Grainfield, she met a young fella named Dean who loved her from the first time he saw her. Loretta graduated high school in Grainfield in 1944. She and Dean started their 60 years of marriage on September 26, 1946. During the early years of their marriage, they lived in both Quinter and Grainfield but settled permanently in Grainfield in 1949.
Loretta asked for advice from her mom in the early years of marriage and Ethel’s words stuck with Loretta her entire married life. “If your husband asks you if you want to go with him, you always go, or someday he may quit asking.” Because this stuck with her, she and Dean took many trips together to pick up vehicles for the customers, attend Ford meetings, and go see family and even just little cruises out to the farm ground to look around. Because of helping Dean pick up all kinds of vehicles all over the country, Loretta could drive just about anything with 4 or more wheels. In December of 1947 they welcomed their first child, Nancy, In September of 1951 Donna was born and finally, Jim completed their family in 1961.
Loretta was dedicated to family. As her children grew up and got involved in activities, she was always there to support them. Over the years she drove a bus for field trips, sponsored and chaperoned youth group trips. When grandkids and great-grandkids came along, she did her best to never miss one of their special events. She was a great storyteller and loved to share her experiences and family stories over a cup of coffee or a glass of tea.
The United Methodist Church in Grainfield was her church home since 1958, and she sang in the choir as long as they were active. Loretta was also active with the women of the church, providing meals and whatever she could do to pitch in. She also was a part of the Do What You Want Club, a hobby social group that just enjoyed each other’s company.
She was proceeded in death by her parents Ethel and Byron; husband Dean; brother Marion; sisters Vivian and Geneva; daughter Donna; and other family and friends.
Her legacy lives on through her daughter Nancy (Vick) of Wichita, Kansas; son Jim of Grainfield; son-in-law Rand Levy of Champion, Nebraska; Grandkids Cherise (Brock) Moore of Derby, Kansas, Lori (Dusty) Stutzman of Arnold, Nebraska, Amber (Brian) Harvey of Wichita, and Carl (Julie) Levy of Champion, Nebraska; great-grandkids William Harvey, Deana Harvey, Aubree Stutzman, Alexsis Stutzman, Abigail Stutzman, and Collins Levy; and many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
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