Anne Marie (Kristof) Shearer was born November 30, 1919, on the family
farm in Trego County, Kansas to Ralph Kristof and Anna (Benish) Kristof.
She passed away April 29, 2021, in Fort Collins, CO at the age of 101.
Anne’s first eight grades were completed at a country school near
Voda, Kansas. After graduating from Trego Community High School in 1937,
she attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas and was a
member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. After two years at KSU, her parents
called her home to help with the family farm and she worked at Trego
WaKeeney State Bank.
In 1942, Anne was united in marriage to Rex L. Shearer at the
Presbyterian Church in WaKeeney, Kansas, a union which lasted for 67
years. Rex was a widower with a young son, Lanny. The couple lived in
Wichita, KS until 1945 when they returned to Voda to the family farm and
cattle operation. To this union three daughters were born, Peggy,
Sherry, and Ruth.
Anne stayed busy driving the girls eight miles into town for their
many activities in addition to fulfilling the demanding life of a farm
wife. She was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church and held
several leadership positions over the years. She also enjoyed her
memberships in the Harmony Club, Union Women’s Club and served several
terms as President of Chapter CT of P.E.O.
Anne and Rex had a passion for travel. As the girls grew older,
they traveled both domestically and abroad. They spent many happy years
in their motor home, wintering in the Florida Keys and later in Donna,
Texas at Victoria Palms RV Resort, where they won ballroom dance
contests and she learned to swim at age 80!
Anne loved her family, her friends, and her life! Her home was
filled with laughter and music, along with a “little” popcorn and ice
cream! She loved reading, walking, and watching sports. But her thoughts
always centered on her family. At her 100th birthday party, Anne said,
“stay together, there is nothing more important than family.”
Survivors include one stepson, Lanny R. Shearer of DeLand, FL; three
daughters, Peggy Barnett and husband Jim, Ft. Collins, CO, Sherry
Galloway, WaKeeney, KS, Ruth Wick and husband Robin, Ft. Collins, CO; 11
grandchildren, Brett Shearer, Brad and Lindsay Barnett, Angela Mermis,
John Galloway (Katie), Lew Galloway (Jamie), Joel Mermis (Carrie),
Philip Galloway (Rachel), Jeffrey Wick (Renee’), Allison (Wick) Samelson
(Mike), Grant Wick (Christine); and 15 great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death are her parents, her stepfather, her beloved
husband Rex, son-in-law, Mike Galloway, and one grandchild, Debbie
(Shearer) Elam.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on May 13, 2021 at the
Presbyterian Church in WaKeeney. In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Church, 332 N. 6th,
WaKeeney, KS 67672 or Pathways Hospice, 305 Carpenter Rd, Fort Collins,
CO 80525. Online condolences may be left for the family at
www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com