Shirley Nelson Chase, 81, died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, with her family by her side in Iola.
She was born April 9, 1930 in Lake Andes, S.D., to James and Lena Nichols. After graduating from East High in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1948, she married Donald L. Nelson. As a cattle buyer, Don and Shirley made their homes in numerous communities where they were active members in the local church. Shirley enjoyed being a homemaker, cooking, knitting, sewing, and painting in her free time.
After Don’s death in 1991, Shirley married Richard Chase in 1994. They enjoyed traveling in their motor home, visiting friends and family. Shirley dedicated her life to God after attending the Walk To Emmaus weekend in Yuma, Ariz. The couple lived in Iola and wintered in Yuma.
Surviving family members include her husband, Richard; her daughter, Ellen Alcantar, Topeka; her son and daughter-in-law, Kyle and Sherry Nelson, Hays; six grandchildren, Emily Schlansky and Melissa Wrench of Topeka, Justin Nelson of Osceola, Iowa, Peyton Nelson, Hays, Melanie Harshberger, Dodge City, and Aaron Nelson, Wichita; and nine great-grandchildren.
Three surviving sisters are Betty Cook of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Glenda Kluver of Park Rapids, Minn., and Cheryl Fisher of Toledo, Ore. With her second marriage, Shirley gained five additional children, 10 additional grandchildren and two additional great-grandchildren.
A son, Michael Nelson, also preceded her in death.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m., next Saturday, Feb. 25, at First Presbyterian Church in Iola. Graveside inurnment services will be at 3 p.m. next Friday, Feb. 24, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence. Memorials may be made to Allen County Hospice or First Presbyterian Church and left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences for the family may be left at website, www.iolafuneral.com.
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