Shirley Ann Erb was born May 6, 1932, at Bison, Kansas, and passed away at her home on the farm near Bison on April 17, 2025. She never lived more than a mile from where she was born. Parents were Herbert and Helen (Staley) Foos. She went to District 67 Yubadam (aka U. B. Dam) one-room schoolhouse next to the railroad tracks four miles east of Bison. The students were told the school was given that name because the trains had to stoke up fire to get up a big hill going west, and that was what the engineer would exclaim if the train didn’t make it up the hill. After the school closed she attended Bison Grade School and then graduated from Bison High School in 1950. She was one of the pitchers for the 7th and 8th grade softball and baseball teams. She said there was only one boy in her class that could outrun her and it was not her husband, but he caught her anyway. On February 25, 1951, Shirley married her high school sweetheart, Melvin Erb. They were married 66 years before his death in 2017. Children are Linda Humphrey, Bison, Karen Kay Moorhous, Grainfield, Kansas, and Don Erb, Bison.
One of her early highlights was earning a state 4-H trip to Chicago with her swine project. She was a dedicated farm wife, spending many hours on a tractor, most without a cab. She was known for her home-cooked meals, as many young men will testify they looked forward to her cooking after pitching the “heaviest hay bales in the county.” Shirley made many wedding cakes for family and friends. She made a quilt for each of her grandchildren. Shirley enjoyed sewing, cooking, embroidery, painting, singing, and playing the piano. She took loving care of her pigs, cattle, chickens, bison, pheasants, guineas, and countless cats and dogs as well as a mischievous goat. She always had a large, well-tended garden. She shared Shaklee products for more than 50 years, enriching the health of many friends. She loved her family and friends and always put others’ needs before her own. She was a gentle, loving person with a healing touch. She showed never-ending unconditional love for her husband, children, grandchildren, other relatives, and many friends.
Shirley was a member of the Lone Star Ranger 4-H club and later became the foods leader while her children were members. She was also a Cub Scout den mother, a member of the Bison Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and played the piano and organ, as well as being an officer of the United Methodist Women. Shirley was a member of the Sunshine Unit and was recently honored as a 72-year member of the Kansas Association for Family & Community Education.
Shirley lived her life for the Lord and her family and friends. As Matthew 25:21 says, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master’s happiness!”
Survivors include: her three children, Linda Humphrey, Bison, Karen Moorhous, Grainfield, and Don Erb, Bison; seven grandchildren, Jaclyn (Joey) White, Phoenix, Arizona, Shelly (Adam) Bridges, Carthage, Missouri, Emily (Derek) Yarmer, Hays, Kansas, Angela (Chris) Beck, Hoisington, Kansas, Brandon Weigel, Hays, Kira Freed, Hays, and Megan Erb, Hays; and 12 great-grandchildren, Adam White, Savanna and Cohen Ochs, Brooklyn Bridges, Audrey, Alaina, and Ethan Yarmer, Ally, Ada, and Case Beck, and Kylie and Taylor Freed.
Visitation will be Monday, April 21, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Church visitation will be Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 9:00 A.M. to 9:50 A.M. at the United Methodist Church, Bison, Kansas.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church, Bison, Kansas, with Pastor Scott Tempero and Dr. Galen Boehme officiating. Interment will be in the Lone Star Cemetery, Bison, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to the United Methodist Church, Bison, Kansas, or the Rush County 4-H Council.
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.